First Grade Teacher
Know Your Pelicans
What do you teach? What is one of your favorite parts of the curriculum?
I currently teach First Grade. From 2017 to 2018, I taught Kindergarten. One of my favorite parts of the curriculum was our emergent study — a topic of study that builds upon a common interest amongst the students. Topics are captured from the talk of children, through community or family activities, children’s interests that are noticed by the teachers, or a topic that is decided upon by the class. The emergent study is an adventure that the class and teachers take together. They formulate possible directions, projects, field trips, materials needed, and parent/community support and involvement. Different approaches toward the same investigation are all valued, therefore children are given access to many tools and media to express themselves.
Tell us about a specific time you found your job especially rewarding.
It’s so rewarding when parents tell you about projects that their child has started at home that were inspired by something in the classroom. It shows how influential school can be and the positive impact that you have as a teacher.
What’s one thing you love about your colleagues?
One thing I love about my colleagues is their constant desire to learn and grow. We are always engaged in professional development together. The conversations are full of passion and honest self-reflection. It’s refreshing to work with people that can identify areas of growth and seek to better themselves and their community.
If you had an inspirational fridge magnet (and we’re not saying you would), what would it say and why?
My inspirational fridge magnet would say: “If it's both terrifying and amazing then you should definitely pursue it.” - Erada