What made you decide to become a teacher?
When I was in kindergarten, people always asked and I always answered that I wanted to be a teacher. In middle school and high school, I thought I was going to go into architecture. But then I took a family child development class, and I got to help out in a kindergarten classroom, and I just fell in love with it, so I decided when I was a junior that is what I would do.

I had a few good teachers along the way who made school good for me, so that made the decision a natural one for me.

What is the best part of teaching?
The best part is building those relationships with kids and being a part of their learning process and their life. And when they get older, they still remember me. I saw one the other day when we had some high schoolers come in for Constitution Day, and it was so fun because they get so excited when they get to come back into my room. I love the relationship and being a part of their learning process.

What is the most challenging part of teaching?
The differences in the learning that you have in your room. You have kids that are still struggling in some areas and excelling in other areas. Adjusting the lesson to meet each kid, to make sure each kid is growing within their learning is a challenge for sure.

If you could go back in time and give yourself some advice at the start of your career, what would that advice be?
I love the process that I have gone through as I’ve grown as a teacher. I think one of the things I’ve learned the most is to be a more patient listener. So I think I would tell myself from the start to be a more patient listener, to take the time to slow down, listen to the whole story, and to not jump to conclusions.

Do you have any, “it’s weird but it works” strategies?
I would say being at their level. When you’re talking to a kid, you’re towering over them. It helps to physically get down at their level, and to be patient with them, be consistent. Saying the same words, using the same words consistently from one child to the other when you’re talking and trying to problem solve with them, really helps them to understand what you’re asking of them.

What is one thing about teaching that people (or non-teachers) don’t seem to know about teaching?
That it’s not always me teaching. I’m not always the one that’s giving the info to the child. Sometimes I’m just there to help them solve their problems. I’m giving them strategies to help them solve their problems. They are often teaching each other, and sometimes they’re teaching me.

You have been teaching for some time now. What is one thing that has changed about education over the years that you have been teaching?
The one thing that has stayed constant with teaching is that successful teachers are lifelong learners. For myself, I continue to grow in my learning even after I’ve been doing it for 16 years. I see that in my colleagues as well. If there’s a class available, we’re ready to take it. Great educators are always wanting to learn more.

What has changed?
The way things are delivered. Curriculum is constantly changing; standards change here and there. The science of reading has been a huge shift, a huge positive change that we’re embracing that. There’s so much research out there, we’re moving in that direction.

Have you noticed a difference in your students’ learning after incorporating the Science of Reading?
I’ve been noticing a difference in their phonemic awareness and their understanding of how words are spelled. That helps them to understand that most words follow rules, ant they can hear the sounds. Once they get that, they’re able to hear how a word might be spelled, and from there, their ability to decode words has gotten better too.

Do you have anything to add?
I love teaching, I love my job, where I live. I enjoy what I do. This process has been so – there’s been a lot to it, to see the next step, and all that. At the end of the day, I’m in it because I enjoy working with the kids.