This is my second year teaching, my eleventh year in education. I am about to turn 33 years old (Halloween) and celebrated 12 years of marriage this past August. My husband and I are both in education, I teach the 8 year olds and he teaches the 18 year olds. We live in downtown Ludington and love enjoying the seasons in our little town. We enjoy the beach, hiking at the State Park, reading, cooking, and I'm currently in a sourdough era. Lastly, with our summers off, we love to travel and have had the privilege to go to Europe six times, visiting eight different countries (Iceland, Scotland, England, Wales, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, and Italy). We can't wait to go back!
What is an effective strategy you use in the classroom?
Honestly, I know that it's said again and again, but relationships are what it's all about. I have found that you can try a thousand different classroom management strategies, but if you don 't have a relationship with your kids, if they don't know that you care, you'll be met with resistance.
How do you build relationships with students?
Time. It's takes time and if you have to skip handwriting for a day to pop in a relationship building activity or laugh together, in the end, I feel that it's worth it. It's so important for the students to be taught what's there for them to learn and master it, but it's equally, if not more important, for them to know that they are cared for and loved.
What is your favorite thing about being a teacher?
I love the kids! I always say that I laugh everyday and it's really true. They have such a beautiful outlook on life and to see things through their eyes is sometimes both heartbreaking and also refreshing. Kids are so resilient and can endure so much that gets thrown at them, yet they show up everyday with a fervor to find relationships, be loved, love, and learn. Even though the days can end with very little energy left in the tank, it's worth it!