At which MSS campus do you teach?
Meeting Street – Brentwood
Why did you decide to be a teacher?
I love working with children and helping them grow, not only academically but socially and emotionally as well.
Why do you choose to stay in the classroom?
I love the reward of the end of the year by seeing how much your students have grown. I love that there is a routine, but each day is different at the same time. I love how students walk in each morning with a smile on their face and a big hug and they’re so excited to be here and to learn.
What is the most challenging part of being a teacher?
You can’t fix everything. There are some students who you work so hard for to give your all, and sometimes you feel like it’s not quite enough. It’s a work in progress, but I’ve had to learn to keep my school emotions at school so I don’t stress so much at home.
What is the most rewarding part of being a teacher?
Seeing a child’s face when it finally “clicks.” Learning can be tough, and some students don’t always get it right away. But when you help them to put in that extra work and they finally get it, it’s so rewarding to see their face light up and you just know how proud they are of themselves.
Why did you choose to teach at Meeting Street Schools?
I loved how on my first day, I walked into a room full of strangers but we all had a very similar mindset. We all had the same goals, not necessarily for ourselves but for our students. We all were ready and willing to do what it takes to make sure these students are successful.
What makes Meeting Street Schools different?
Meeting Street Schools are different, because everyone isn’t there just for themselves. Our grade level teams are actually a team. We work together and do what’s best not just for our class but the whole grade level. I don’t feel like I’m in any competition with other classes. We want all of our students to succeed. If one classroom is teaching a small group that a student from another class would benefit from, we will switch students around for that one block to make sure everyone gets what he or she needs.
If you were to write a letter to yourself during your first year of teaching giving yourself advice, what would you say?
I would tell myself to take a deep breath and just relax. Your first year is all about learning. You have to find that balance of being friendly with your students while also gaining respect. You can know the curriculum from front to back, but it doesn’t always go how you plan and that’s okay! Each day there’s a curve ball and you learn to adjust to make it work.
