Gina Sershen teaches 5th grade science at Brandon Valley. She has been teaching for 21 years.

What made you decide to become a teacher?
I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was young. I love the younger kids, and I love science. I’ve wanted to be a teacher my whole life.

What does a typical 5th grade science class look like at Brandon Valley?
I am so lucky. Brandon does science in 5th grade 60 minutes per day. We do lots of different activities. I keep it as fun and active as I can. In my classroom, kids are moving. Kids are doing reading, labs, posters, projects, coding, anything hands-on.

What’s the best part of teaching?
It’s the kids. I love 5th grade. I’ve taught 5th for 21 years, and it’s the perfect age. They all have these different abilities and needs and likes.

What’s the typical 5th grader like?
A ball of energy – they have lots of enthusiasm. I teach science, and that’s a great subject for that grade. I feel like this is a thing that every kid can do. It’s so hands-on. I get to work with lots of energy, lots of sass. They love school, they’re excited about what we’re doing, and they make my day so fun and full of energy.

What’s the most challenging part of teaching?
Accommodating all of my students at all of the different levels. This year I have kids at all levels, and making sure I get to every kid at every level is important to me.

Do you have a favorite class project you like to do with your students?
I do a big Mars unit that I created with the STEM teacher. They get to learn about Rovers, they watch Rovers landing, they design their own, and they build them in class.

I feel like space is the future. We do big projects on that, along with virtual field trips to Mars.

What’s the most useful advice you can give to a new teacher who’s just starting out?
Take it one day at a time. I sometimes look at what I did when I started and I think, “oh my goodness.” Don’t get overwhelmed -- you don’t have to do everything. I have mentored every science teacher in this building, and one thing I always ask them to do is to take help, and do one thing at a time.

Also, go to your mentors. That’s why we have those mentors. Let people help you. I have done the mentoring program. I wish when I was a young teacher that the mentor program was there.

Do you have any, “it’s weird but it works” teaching strategies?
Be very willing to look silly. Be willing to put yourself out there and look a little crazy, and they will remember those things. It’s part of being willing to try new things. A cheesy song will go a long way. They remember those things – your teacher rapping and singing.

Do you have anything to add?
In my school, I’m part of a team. I’m one fourth of a team. Finding your people at school, and working together is key – they deserve as much of this honor as I have received. I have to give them credit too because they definitely deserve it.