Back To School-Kim

It’s a typical public elementary school located in a small suburban city. The school is nestled in a quiet neighborhood. As I parked next to the dumpsters at the school, I hastily gathered my belongings and headed to meet Kim at the double doors located at the side of the main entrance. 

Upon walking in, I felt like I had traveled back in time. This school has clearly been around for a while. The halls filled in silence as we navigated through a maze of corridors, finally making our way to the outdoor classrooms. It reminded me of the similar halls I walked in Phoenix, Arizona as a child, where I dreaded being in the classroom. My school years, especially elementary school, were not the greatest and left me with unpleasant memories. When I decided to create a series called “Back to School,” I wanted to share empathetic perspectives from educators, parents, and even students. Looking back, I wish I had understood why I didn’t connect with my teachers or receive emotional support from my parents while I was growing up. I attended elementary school in the early 80s, and I’m grateful that our education system has improved since then. I always thought I would become a school teacher. I know it is a calling for sure. Kim is one of those teachers I wish I had when I was growing up. I am grateful for her dedication to learning, even after being a teacher for 31 years. It’s truly humbling to hear about her continued passion. She is a great example of someone who is truly called to teach.

Thank you, Kim, for opening your classroom for me. Let’s start by telling us a little about yourself.

My name is Kim, and I grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas until I was about 12 years old and we moved to Eagle Lake, Texas. I graduated from Wharton County Junior College and Texas A&M University where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary studies. I met the love of my life, Joel in 1993. We soon married the following year 1994. We have two daughters who are 27 and 24. 

Our family loves to go camping! One of my favorite places to camp is in the Davis Mountains State Park. I love spending time with my family and am most comfortable and at peace with them. The older I have gotten, I am becoming more introverted. 

Can you tell us a little about how long you have been an educator and what you are currently doing at this moment?

I am in my 31st year as an educator. I began my career as a 2nd Grade Teacher. After 12 years, I was asked to move to 4th grade, and I stayed there for 10 years. I enjoyed teaching 2nd grade, it was very special to me. After 22 years in the classroom, I decided to try out something new and be an Instructional Coach. My experience in elementary, middle, and high school levels are 8 years. At this point this year I felt to head back into the classroom. I feel if you are not in the classroom in the trenches, so to speak, teachers do not value your opinion as well as they should. Our district has recently developed a position in which you coach teachers and teach our own students called an MCL (Multi-Classroom Teacher). This seemed to be right up my alley, so I applied and was offered a fourth-grade position at another local elementary. Two weeks in and I’m enjoying having students again. 

What has inspired you to choose this career?

When I began teaching 31 years ago, I was inspired by some of my favorite teachers.  One in particular was my Biology/Chemistry Teacher, Gerald Streit,  at Rice High School in Altair, Texas.  He made learning fun, but most importantly, he cared about us.  

Going back to teaching after 8 years of being out of the classroom, I’m inspired in a different way.  My walk with Christ is more profound than it was all those years ago, and I am determined to show my students the love of Jesus.  It is at the forefront of all I do.  When you begin to look at each student as a child of God with a specific purpose, it changes your perspective dramatically.

What are the most important aspects of being a teacher?

• Building relationships
• Making learning fun and relevant
• Meeting students where they are in their learning
• Being versatile and willing to change and learn new things!
• Be resourceful.  Don’t just go by the textbook!  Jazz it up!!  What works one year, with one group of students, may not work the next year!

  What do you love most about coaching and helping other teachers?

  I love being able to help a teacher notice the areas of improvement needed on their own.  They have to understand the need for change to see a difference.

   

  What is your opinion about having a coaching team in their schools?

  I think it is a brilliant idea, but teachers have to be willing to change!  There has to be a created environment of vulnerability.  A coach should be able to come into your classroom and jump into your lesson if they feel the need to.  The idea is that NO teacher knows it all.  We ALL have room for improvement!

  
  
  

Going into this 31st year as a teacher, what are some preparations or traditions you prepare for each school year?

• Kinda silly, but the first thing I must do is get my desks/tables in place.  It was especially hard this year because my new whiteboard tables had to be built, so I wasn’t able to start with that. Haha, I managed.
• I like for my classroom to be very bright, colorful, and homey.  This year, I added a colorful, large bulletin board with wildflowers and hanging ribbon curtains in a variety of colors and patterns.
• I have a reading station with a variety of seating options and a tree made from butcher paper, tissue paper, and ribbon even equipped with a little swing that has a few light stuffed animals perched on top.
• The effort I put into getting my classroom ready interprets to the students that I care about them.  Side note:  the district gives us ONE DAY, DID YOU HEAR THAT, ONE DAY to get our rooms ready, so most teachers come off contract for weeks to get their classrooms prepared.
• I have a plant in my classroom that has been proven to improve concentration and memory as well as reduce stress.

As a fellow parent, what advice would you offer to someone whose child is dealing with learning difficulties or social anxiety? How can they create a supportive environment at home and help their child thrive in the classroom each year?

I would tell them that there are resources available for their child.  Many different types of Special Education Services are available such as resource, inclusion, speech therapy, dyslexia, and behavioral.  Most campuses employ counselors who are more than happy to meet with your child to help them through anxiety, friend issues, home problems, etc.

Parents MUST be involved in their child’s learning.  Contrary to popular belief, teachers cannot do it all!  It must be a triangle of support: the teacher, the parent, and the student

Do you believe God has called you to be a teacher and mentor/coach? And if so, how did you have faith to go for it?

I do believe I’ve been called to be an educator.  I don’t know that I felt that way 31 years ago when I began, but I do feel that way now that I’ve gone back into the classroom.  My mission/goal is to educate students while showing them the love of Christ.  My actions should emulate Jesus.  This has helped me understand my students better.  Every single one of those students has been created by God with a special purpose on this Earth.  When you see your students through that lens, it dramatically changes how you view them.

Galatians 5:22-23

Each of these words is written on separate fence posts in my backyard.  Each morning, as I sit on my back patio, I pray to God to give me these qualities.

Last, what are your favorite spiritual Daily rhythms and Bible verses, and why?

I’m up every morning at 5 am to drink a cup of coffee while doing the Bible App’s Daily Bible Study.  I’ve been 149 days consistent with this endeavor.  Even though, I was raised a Christian and have identified as Christian my whole life, it’s recently that I’ve started actually “living that life”.  It wasn’t long ago that I would have complained about not understanding the Bible and not understanding how I could learn anything from it.  Around that time, my husband and I had gotten into a rut of going to church, but only to serve in the nursery.  We weren’t “going to church”.  I can’t remember what happened, but something came over me and I realized I needed to BE in church and listen to the message!  Wow, what a change that has made in my life.  The messages have been life-altering and it’s like they are written just for me.  I have to admit, as much as I hate to show emotions in front of people and have always been the type to show a strong front and not show emotion, I have been moved to tears several Sundays lately.  One of my daughters and her husband gave me a Bible for my birthday and I bought a Bible bag with a nice pen and highlighters that I use every day to take notes and highlight verses.  It has changed my life!

Last impression from my heart to yours, Kim.

Each student has been created with a purpose from God, too. HE didn’t make a mistake. ( No matter how poorly behaved they are) Do your research, talk with colleagues, and the school counselor, and try different methods to try to find their interests and discover “what makes them tick.” It’s not easy and will be exhausting, but it WILL be worth it when you have a positive breakthrough. Many times, especially with low socioeconomic students, teachers are the only positive people in a student’s life. They are counting on us. No pressure, right?

Always remember your purpose in that classroom. It’s much bigger than an education. Think of it more like your own little mission field. The compassion and empathy you show students will make more of an impact than any academics ever will. Plus, compassion and empathy help build relationships which is the only way you will ever win their hearts and get them to listen to you and learn.