Teachers are responsible for influencing us as kids, and sometimes eventually all the way through adulthood. They possess skills that make it easy for us to learn by giving us tools to navigate through life, and help us comprehend difficulties along the way. Every teacher’s method is different, respective to the study and the age group. At this year’s Teacher Appreciation Ceremony held by the Chamber of Commerce, we caught up with a few new teachers and asked them to share some of their reflections on school. This is what they had to say…
TIFFANY MCCLINTOCK
What do you teach?
I teach 5th and 6th grade social studies.
Do Teachers get the “back to school” jitters?
Definitely! While I cannot speak for all, I know I got the back to school jitters this year. Students typically say they get the back to school jitters because they have no idea what their classes are going to be like, they get to see their friends again, and anything is possible with a new year. Teachers have those exact same things to look forward to as we rejoin with our teaching friends, we have no idea what our students are going to be like, and anything is possible with our new students.
What’s the best part about the “first day” of the new school year?
The best part about the first day of the new school year is the students’ willingness to try new things and excitement about the new school year.
What was your favorite subject in high school?
I was always between band and English. Band was always a fun experience and music always made my day the best it could be. I also enjoyed English because the stories we read, and writing.
Your least favorite subject?
I really enjoyed most of my subjects, but some science and some math did make me question at times whether I did not like that subject or not. Of course, we would move on to a new unit and I would question whether they were some of my favorite subjects.
Elizabeth Carr
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?
If I wasn’t a teacher, I would definitely still be working with kids. I think I would like being a counselor or therapist. On a completely different note, I have always wanted to write for a TV show!
What attracted you to teaching?
Teaching definitely runs in my blood, many people in my family are also teachers. I was attracted to teaching just because you get to spend every day with kids, whom I happen to think are the most interesting type of people. Teaching is one of the few occupations that you never know what to expect except that each day will be unique and interesting.
How do you get your students’ attention when you need it?
I have a couple different “call and response” strategies that I use, but the one that my students like best is “Marco/Polo.” When i call out Marco, they know they need to stop what they’re doing, and look at me.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen a student do in class?
The strangest thing I’ve seen a student do actually happened just recently. We were working on a writing project and I was circulating throughout the room. I got to the back of the room and noticed that one of my students was literally gluing her hands together with a bottle of Elmer’s’ glue. I had to walk out of the room for a second so that my students wouldn’t see me laugh.
Courtney Kryszak
What’s the best attribute a teacher can have?
There are so many features that compromise an excellent teacher. However, I strongly feel that the best attribute a teacher can have is patience. Each child is an individual, and learns at their own pace. It is so important to be patient with all children because they can sense when you understand and care about them, and just want them to be happy in the classroom and learn!
What’s the best part about teaching?
I truly feel that the best part about teaching is seeing your students grow and develop on both a daily basis, and also from the beginning of the year to the end of the school year. The students gain a sense of accomplishment, and it is fulfilling for the teacher as well, knowing that you helped them attain those skills.
If you could change one thing about the school system, what would it be?
I can honestly say that overall, I feel that the school system is very effective the way that it is now. If I had to change something though, I would recommend that summer vacation be shortened, and the weeks of vacation be spread out over the course of the year. I feel that so many children lose critical skills and knowledge over the long summer vacation. If we took some of those days off and applied them to other months, students may perform better each year because there would be a better retention rate of what they learned the previous year.
PHOTO:
From left to right – Tiffany McClintock, Elizabeth Carr, Courtney Kryszak