5-18-18
I asked my mentor the following questions:
Why did you choose to become a teacher?
My parents were both teachers so that was all I knew! It was the way I grew up! I used to help in my mom's first grade classroom.
Why at McAuliffe?
I taught in Reno for 3 years and then in Encinitas for 3 years. I wanted to teach in Oceanside because I owned a home in Oceanside and my husband worked for the Oceanside School district. When I interviewed, this is where I was placed!
Do you keep in touch with your past students?
Yes, I do keep in touch with many past students and their families.
Do you have any advice about teaching, college, or life outside of high school?
Teaching is the best job around! I love the kids and being able to move around during the day. I could never have the type of job that required me to sit at a desk! I highly recommend you go to college...it is such a learning experience, not just academically, but about life. Originally I wanted to travel right out of high school and put college off. My parents really wanted me to go to college, so I did. They sent me to Europe during the summer after my junior year of college in return for going straight to college. To this day, I travel whenever I can and the teaching schedule allows for a lot of traveling!
What skills are necessary to be a 1st grade teacher?
Classroom management is VERY important! This is the toughest thing for most new teachers to learn. I tend to run a very structured classroom and I would say classroom management is a strength of mine. You also need to be very patient...especially with the parents of your students!