A teacher is a decorator, nurse, mother and more
Submitted by jcht2010 on
School bells are ringing, and students have begun to again fill the halls of the three school districts in Jackson County. However, teachers have been at work for weeks, preparing classrooms and lesson plans for the return of their pupils.
Teachers spend this time preparing physically and mentally for the upcoming school year, as they decorate their own classrooms, prepare their own lesson plans, and reviewing what has worked – and not worked – in years past.
D'Anna Long, who teaches eighth grade math and reading at Ganado High School, takes preparation seriously, as she believes that making the classroom an inviting place leads the students to feel valued.
“Classroom preparations – this means labeling, arranging desks in a particular order, relabeling everything for you and for the students,” she said, “What colors and I going to use this year? What posters am I going to change? All these are things that shape the classroom into an inviting learning environment.”
Long believes that preparation is not only decorating and planning lessons, but preparing herself mentally for the approaching year.
“I always take a day before we head back to school to reflect,” she said “I reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and ways that I could improve teaching a lesson. I don’t just teach a lesson one way.
“We all learn differently; some with listening, some with written texts, and some with physical touch. I try hard to incorporate all these learning strategies in my lesson planning so all students can get an opportunity to learn.”
Many people believe that teachers get summers off, just like their students, but in reality they spend much of that time preparing and planning. There is one day that she looks forward to every year – Meet The Teacher.
“This is one of the best parts,” she said “We get to put a face with a name. Being that Ganado is so small, many of the students we have already made contact with in the halls. But on this night, they become my students.
“They walk into my room for the first time and I get to meet their parents. I get to see their excitement about the new school year and I get to calm some nerves of those that are shy and unsure.”
Despite all the work involved, Long couldn’t imagine herself doing anything else.
“Preparing for the new school year takes work both mentally and physically,” she said, “My home must be in order and my classroom must be ready, too.
“Mentally I prepare myself for what could happen, what I know will happen, and accept the fact that I won’t have enough time to complete it all and that’s ok. At home I have a supporting family. At work, I have great principals and co-workers.
“Being a teacher is awesome; being a teacher is rewarding. Being a teacher is the best job I can find. What other job can you be a decorator, lesson planner, nurse, mother of many, a grader, a thinker, and best of all a teacher? “
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