November 19, 2019
Entering their 6th year of teaching together at Meeting Street Academy in Charleston, Pre-K Teachers Krista Bruce and Rachel Goodale really do “stick” together and embrace Meeting Street Schools’ co-teaching model. Learn more about their special bond and how they jointly navigate the classroom in the interview below.
What are the benefits of working as a co-teacher?
Krista: I am grateful to work with someone who is passionate about working with kids and partnering with families. Rachel is someone who is committed to making school fun and engaging for children. She wants to instil a love for learning. We partner together to do this work and be the best for our kids.
Rachel: Krista and I hold each other to a really high standard to be the best for our kids. We hold each other accountable to always be getting better for our kids. We are constantly looking at our work together and always making sure it’s what is best for our kids, who are the future!
You’re entering year six of working together. How have you navigated your relationship as co-teachers?
Krista: We have learned that if something is not going well, whether it’s behavior or academics, then we have to step back and figure it out together. Our #1 goal is ensuring that the kids are enjoying what we are doing because learning should be fun.
Rachel: I will say the first thing you need to work on is figuring out how to communicate the hard stuff, like sharing when lessons don’t go well or when little things need to be tweaked. It’s important to have a close relationship where you’re welcoming that feedback and understand that it’s coming from a good place to help you grow as a person and teacher to be the best for our kids. Krista and me have the same goal to be in the process of always becoming better for our kids.
What is something you admire in your co-teacher?
Krista: Rachel is an amazing human. Everyday she is ready to engage the children and help them work hard to accomplish their goals. Rachel has taught me that you can do anything you work hard to accomplish. She is a rockstar!
Rachel: One thing I admire about Krista (among many other things) is that she is a really great mom and she brings that into the classroom. She has that sacrificial mom love for her kids, students, and co-workers. She’s the best!
What piece of advice would you give to those entering a co-teaching model? How can they make it a successful partnership?
Krista: I think co-teachers should get to know each other inside and outside of school. Go walk the Ravenel Bridge together, get coffee and have genuine conversations. Be real with one another. Let one another know what is going on with you, so they can support you better.
Rachel: Co-teaching is not easy, especially the first year. You are just getting to know each other and there’s going to be different personalities, work languages, etc. A lot of our professional development at MSA-C focuses on personality tests, which is really helpful. It’s good to know how your co-teacher processes things and how they like to receive feedback. A part of your job becomes understanding that person and knowing how to support them.
What would you say your co-teacher’s main strength is as an educator?
Krista: Rachel is always intentional. She is always making sure that whatever we’re doing, the kids are having fun while learning. Whether it’s a ten second transition or a ten minute read aloud, it doesn’t matter. It’s always quality. It drives me to do better everyday.
Rachel: It really goes back to Krista being a great mom. She has a mother’s sacrificial love not only with her own kids but also with our students. In the workplace, that means she works harder and loves harder than the average bear. That is someone I want to work with, be around, and become more like.
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Start Your Career!Meeting Street Schools (MSS) is an innovative non-profit where schools, families, and the community collaborate to create environments where all children can achieve their full potential. With a network of schools across South Carolina, including MSA-Charleston (Charleston, SC), MSA-Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC), MS-Brentwood (North Charleston, SC), MS-Burns (North Charleston, SC), we are committed to providing students with the rigorous education they deserve.
Founded on the principle that every child deserves an excellent education regardless of their socio-economic background, Meeting Street Schools has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what's possible in education. Our schools are driven by a strong focus on student achievement, evidence-based instruction, and relentless support of our students and their families.
While united by our shared mission, each MSS campus, is unique in its character, tapping into the local spirit of the communities they serve. Explore each of our schools and discover how they're creating a brighter future for students in South Carolina.
Nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, MSA Charleston is more than just a school—it’s a hub for innovative learning and community engagement. As part of the Meeting Street Schools network, MSA Charleston embodies a commitment to excellence through its rigorous academic programs, inclusive culture, and focus on developing the whole child. With a curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal growth, MSA Charleston prepares students to be curious learners and active citizens of their community.
Meeting Street Academy – Spartanburg is as a pillar of educational innovation in the Spartanburg community. The school’s dedicated educators and supportive learning environment ensure that each child receives a high-quality, personalized education with exceptional faculty and teachers. The Academy is distinguished by its emphasis on community partnership, fostering relationships that extend beyond the classroom to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.
Meeting Street – Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this neighborhood Public School of Innovation is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, Meeting Street – Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. Meeting Street – Brentwood also serves as a hub for the Brentwood community to access educational and wellness services. The school’s commitment to innovation, coupled with a warm, welcoming environment, makes it a standout in the Meeting Street Schools network.
Located in a community rich with history and culture, Meeting Street – Burns is renowned for its dynamic educational approach that intertwines traditional learning with modern teaching techniques. The school’s focus on experiential learning ensures that students at Meeting Street – Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. The school exists to spark an educational revolution for the students and families in the Dorchester-Waylyn Neighborhood in North Charleston. With a commitment to creating a supportive and challenging academic environment, Meeting Street – Burns is forging a new path in public education.
“We come into work everyday truly believing that our students are capable of achieving anything that is put in front of them. Here at MSS, students are provided the opportunity to achieve success through the facilitation of well-educated teachers, resources, and a responsive classroom school environment.”
“MSA is a family. Once you’re in, you’re in. They said they would follow our kids from K-3 to college and they actually lived up to what they said they would do. Not only did MSA challenge my daughter academically but it also exposed her to new things that she probably wouldn’t have been exposed to at our previous neighborhood school. Our journey at MSA was exciting and rewarding. They actually walk the walk.”
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