Article: Teacher Appreciation: Special Edition R14CC Quick Chats
In this special edition of R14CC Quick Chats, members of our team share stories of their experiences as teachers and reminisce on the lasting impact that positive relationships in the classroom have on students and educators.
Sherelle Foust, MS, Effective Instruction Lead Region 14 Comprehensive Center
I did my student teaching in a first-grade class in Germany on a military base through Department of Defense Dependents Schools. It was an incredibly rewarding experience learning from my mentor teacher, who was a literacy expert, and teaching students to read. I then spent time in pre-schools and elementary schools in special education as a speech-language pathologist evaluating and working with students, families, and teachers on specific communication areas such as articulation, language, and autism. What always gave me the greatest joy was the reason I went into education - witnessing students accomplish their goals. What had the greatest impact is what keeps me in education - building relationships for long-term successful outcomes.
First grade student teacher Sherelle Foust teaching reading to a class at Wetzel Elementary School in Baumholder, Germany.
Laura Jurgensen, JD, Organizational Effectiveness Lead Region 14 Comprehensive Center
I was an elementary teacher briefly in my early career. I lasted all the way through student teaching where I taught a combined 5–8 grade class and then a first-grade class. My favorite story from student teaching is that I had a first-grade student who was very quiet at school. Her family maintained that she spoke avidly in both Spanish and English at home, but at school she wouldn't speak to peers or adults. She only smiled. On the second to last week of my quarter of student teaching I was working with her one-on-one and I asked her a question and she responded! It was so epic!
Erin Blass, MMEd, Education Project Specialist Region 14 Comprehensive Center
I spent a long time in the classroom as a music educator, both here and abroad. I always enjoyed when the students would come at something sideways and surprised me (except when they were deciding how to hold their instrument). Beginning band was a through-line in my teaching career, and I've probably heard "Hot Cross Buns" more than any human should. But no matter where I was teaching, the students' excitement when they figured it out was delightful. I’ve had opportunities to work with young people from a wide variety of backgrounds, and the joy and determination in their music making was always inspiring. I’m lucky enough to have received “thank you” messages from former students over the years, and it is really special to be reminded the work and time I spent with those young people had an impact.
Students from the American School of Antananrivo (ASA) and the Jejy community student orchestra rehearsing with ASA band director, Erin Blass in Antanarivo, Madagascar, 2018.
Mihiri Silva, Research Associate Region 14 Comprehensive Center
I had an internship for two years after graduating, teaching English language skills at a vocational high school in Italy (Milan suburb). I was known as a madrelingua (mother tongue). On the first day, the teacher was introducing me to the class and told the students in Italian that I don't understand Italian, only English. So, I learned to use my acting skills! By the end of the year most of them caught on that I was bilingual and would only have bilingual conversations with me. Since it was a vocational school, a lot of the lessons were focused on the different tracks offered - hospitality, photography, and graphic design.
Jocelyn Franke, MPAff, School and Community Health Lead Region 14 Comprehensive Center
I taught 8th grade social studies in Arizona. Not many people realize this, but 8th graders are so much fun! The kids are trying so hard to be cool, but they still secretly care what you think. I loved being able to share my passion for politics and history with my students. My student knew me as the crazy teacher who loved talking about the Constitution. I’ve kept in touch with some students and it always amazes me how much they have grown and what they have accomplished. One graduated from the Naval Academy and is happily married. One student was so invested in animals and animal care as a teenager, and is now a licensed vet with a surgical specialty. I didn’t originally plan to become a teacher, but I am so glad I did. I wouldn’t trade the memories or experience for anything.
A diorama of a World War II battle constructed by students in Jocelyn Franke's 8th grade social studies class at Sahuarita Middle School in Arizona, 2009.
Anushka Shirali, MEd, Capacity Building Lead Region 14 Comprehensive Center
I taught Media Psychology in a Bachelor of Mass Media program at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai where I completed my undergraduate studies as well. Some of my best memories of teaching was the connections that I made with students who still keep in touch to this day! I taught part-time and also had another job as a content developer for an educational product development company. Having the opportunity to work in the industry while teaching helped me bring those experiences into the classroom and tailor the content to learning styles of my students. I cherish those years fondly and check in with many students who I am still connected with almost 15 years later.
Kristen Pugh, MEd, Project Lead Region 14 Comprehensive Center
I was a Special Education teacher right out of college. I taught grades 3 - 12. At the elementary grades, I was teaching all content areas. When I taught 7th and 8th grade, I was teaching Math, Social Studies, and Science. At the HS level, I was teaching Algebra I, Algebra II and Biology!
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