Teacher
Appreciation
Week

What do you love most about teaching? In other words, why did you chose this profession?

For me, being able to contribute to the foundation of someone’s being is teaching. I chose teaching to inspire and support. I love working with the small learners:  influencing their love of school and learning, building thinking skills and reaching the whole child. Currently what I like most about my day is being able to break into song whenever we need it!

What lessons did you learn at UC that have stuck with you over the years? In other words, how has your UC education helped you be the best teacher you can be?

When I finished my Master’s Degree from UC, I had a philosophy of education so fundamental that I could reason, value, and study problems that developed beyond what I was specifically taught. This helped me continue to grow and move with new challenges. Everything I do is rooted in my encompassing understanding of child development, and for me, these were skills to be carried into parenting and daily responsibilities, as well as teaching.

What is one unexpected experience during your time at UC that you would like to share?

When at UC, I was surprised by the number of my professors who were authors, written books in the field, or were working on a book. I recently saw a collection of resources at my current school and was able to say, “Those were my teachers!” (Brenda Hieronymus and Sally Moomaw).

What do you love most about teaching? In other words, why did you choose this profession?

My mom was a teacher and I can vividly remember early on pretending to be a teacher like her. I would use a little room in our basement that had an old desk and would have my little sister be the student. I've always loved working with kids and knew that I would want to do something with them in my profession one day. I was also involved in Best Buddies when I was in high school which is what led me to have such a passion for special education. 

What lessons did you learn at UC that have stuck with you over the years? In other words, how has your UC education helped you be the best teacher you can be?

UC definitely played a huge part in the teacher I am today. I was really only looking at one University when I was in high school because I knew I could get into it and my grandmother lived near it. One of my neighbors suggested I take a look at UC because it sounded exactly like what I was looking for, which was a solid education program that helped prepare for all teaching settings, and a city-vibe campus that still felt like a college campus. My mom and I went to take a look basically to rule it out but we both ended up falling in love with it. The fact that I was able to get into the schools and start working with kids my freshman year of college was kind of unheard of and I loved it. I was also very interested in working in inner city schools which UC did an amazing job of preparing me for. 

What is one unexpected experience during your time at UC that you would like to share?

One unexpected experience I had while attending UC is working at the TAP (Transitional Access Program) program for 3 years. I was trying to find a part time job I could work at while attending school that had something to do with my major. Some of my best memories I have from college are from working this job. It honestly didn't even feel like a job, I loved it so much. I also met some of my best friends who I am still friends with to this day through TAP. I learned so much about what kind of teacher I wanted to be and what kind of person I am through TAP. I will forever be thankful for UC and TAP and the people I met through it!

What do you love most about teaching? In other words, why did you choose this profession?

I feel very fortunate to be teaching with some of my best friends and the greatest coworkers. It is an environment that I feel very supported in. Teaching brings some really challenging days, it is important to find people to support you on the hard ones, that’s what I have. I love that in this profession, I can find moments that may seem small to an outside person looking in, but in my room- it’s monumental. I teach in an Autism Unit, yesterday I had a student who was crying at group and one of my non-verbal students typed into their communication device the word “friend.”  The moment was unprompted and incredibly special. Moments like those remind me why I chose this job and why I choose to stay in it.

What lessons did you learn at UC that have stuck with you over the years? In other words, how has your UC education helped you be the best teacher you can be?

One thing I learned at UC that has stuck with me is that a lesson, behavior plan, or strategy doesn’t have to look pretty for it to work. I’m not the most creative person and I feel as though the teachers we see on social media have the perfect room and the most organized lessons. In my room, there are times where I need to pull out a behavior strategy from thin air and it’s not always the most eye catching presentation but as long as it works, that’s what matters. It sounds silly but that advise has always stuck with me. Something else I always remember from my classes is that “all behavior is a form of communication.”  I try and remember that when it comes to my more challenging students. UC taught me a lot of important lessons, I didn’t know it in the moment but having my own classroom allows me to reflect on what I learned through my time in the teaching program. 

What is one unexpected experience during your time at UC that you would like to share?

The advice I would give to those going through the teaching program is to rely on your fellow classmates and form those connections. Someone told me once “teachers help teachers” and I think that should always be true. Teaching is challenging and we are all in this together. Make friends, grow together and learn from one another. CECH provided me with friends I teach with in my building, friends I get together with monthly, and friends I reach out to for advice on classroom situations. This isn’t a job you can do alone, find your people and help each other out. 

What do you love most about teaching? In other words, why did you choose this profession?

I grew up in a family of teachers - parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher and that never changed. I worked in daycare settings and babysat in high school through college. My love for working with younger children grew in those experiences. The students make me laugh even on my hardest days. I am learning from them everyday and there is always a new challenge that helps me grow stronger as a teacher and person.

What lessons did you learn at UC that have stuck with you over the years? In other words, how has your UC education helped you be the best teacher you can be?

The best thing about the Early Childhood Education program at UC is the field experience. UC gets you out in the field as early as freshman year, encouraging you to observe in classrooms and take on opportunities in tutoring and after school programs. Everything I learned in my courses, I was able to put into action in my practicum experiences. The most important lesson I learned in my time at UC is the importance of social and emotional learning and creating relationships with the students.

What is one unexpected experience during your time at UC that you would like to share?

I commuted to UC my freshman year and I was determined to be involved and meet new people. There were so many opportunities for that at UC. I was part of a learning community my freshman year with other Early Childhood students and a mentor that helped us navigate our program. I also joined a sorority where I met some of the best people.

What do you love most about teaching? In other words, why did you choose this profession?

What I love most about teaching is being able to watch students develop skills over time, build rapports with students and parents, and help them achieve goals they didn’t think they could achieve.

What lessons did you learn at UC that have stuck with you over the years? In other words, how has your UC education helped you be the best teacher you can be?

Lessons from UC that stuck with me over the years are to never stop learning and to always be open to change and diversity. My professors such as Karen Troup, Steve Kroeger, and Casey Hord often shared experiences they learned from throughout their teaching careers. The most valuable lesson I gained from UC and these professors is that education is a forever changing and evolving field, so we as educators must always be ready to learn and evolve with education.

What is one unexpected experience during your time at UC that you would like to share?

One unexpected experience I encountered during my time at UC was meeting students of all races and ethnicities. UC is very diverse in some aspects, I learned a lot about different cultures.

What do you love most about teaching? Why did you choose this profession?

My favorite thing about teaching is when students get excited about learning. This “Lightbulb” moment occurs when a student either connects a new concept with prior knowledge or a new concept is so truly engaging that they beam with pride. It not only builds students’ confidence but also lets me know that they are enjoying school and actively participating.

What lessons did you learn at UC that have stuck with you over the years? How has your UC education helped you be the best teacher you can be?

The best lesson that I learned at UC was to build genuine relationships with my students. Several professors made a point to teach us the importance of good rapport. I want my students to know that they will always be supported, encouraged, and loved.

What is one unexpected experience during your time at UC that you would like to share?

Attending UC was an experience I never expected! I transferred to Cincinnati my sophomore year after needing a positive change for my mental health. Becoming a Bearcat is one of the best things to happen to me!

What do you love most about teaching? Why did you choose this profession?

I love the content and being able to work with students on a daily basis. My professors/general teachers really encouraged me growing up as well and my relationships with my own educators had a huge impact on becoming a teacher. It's not only a way to give back, but I get to talk about favorite topics all day.

What lessons did you learn at UC that have stuck with you over the years? How has your UC education helped you be the best teacher you can be?

UC allowed for me to have two different practicum experiences in two high schools throughout my college career. I was able to receive first-hand experiences into what teaching really was about from some really great mentors, but also make some life-long connections with students that would follow me throughout my career. I'm fortunate enough to have returned back to the classroom where I student-taught in as a teacher.

What is one unexpected experience during your time at UC that you would like to share?

One major unexpected experience during my time at UC was ending my year-long student teaching experience and senior year of college remotely after shifting to online learning during the Covid-19 shut down. I graduated with my Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education in May 2020 and my Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction in December 2020. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions, I was unable to walk for my graduation until August 2021.

What do you love most about teaching? Why did you choose this profession?

Relationships, relationships, relationships. The thing I love about teaching is all of the relationships I have been able to create and cultivate over the years. Holding tight to the bond that I have created with my students is something that brings me joy daily. There is nothing like receiving a text message or a phone call from a former student who just wants to catch up with me and share life updates. Having these relationships with students is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.

What lessons did you learn at UC that have stuck with you over the years? How has your UC education helped you be the best teacher you can be?

My time at UC prepared me for teaching in a multitude of ways. During my time on campus, student leadership was a priority of mine and being able to lead my peers, create meaningful programs, and build relationships in undergrad are all skills that I apply in my daily schedule of teaching my 70+ middle schoolers. UC, specifically the AACRC, also taught me the importance of doing everything in excellence. This allows me to be the best teacher I can be because I work hard for my students and teach them to strive to be the excellent scholars I know they are.

What has teaching through a pandemic taught you? What lessons have you learned over the last year? What keeps you motivated?

Teaching through the pandemic has reminded me that I can do hard things. It has taught me to try to see the good in situations, so I can share the goodness with my students who deserve to know they are loved, cherished and valued even in a world that does not always make them feel that way. Knowing my students will one day be the future leaders of this world is what motivates me to keep going each and every day.

What do you love most about teaching? Why did you choose this profession?

I chose this profession because I fell in love with learning when I went back to finish my undergraduate degree in my mid-thirties. Now I get to be a life-long learner by design. Each school year there are so many new ideas, methods and products to choose from to engage and expand our students’ learning! I really enjoy creatively designing lesson plans that incorporate these ideas, as well as working with new students each year–it keeps the curriculum fresh for all of us.

What lessons did you learn at UC that have stuck with you over the years? How has your UC education helped you be the best teacher you can be?

I remember Dr. Ron Sterling made Social Studies for Teachers classes so interesting and fun, and he really made an effort to get to know each of his students. This served as a role model for me to make every effort to get to know my students because it matters to THEM.

What is one unexpected experience during your time at UC that you would like to share?

One completely unexpected event was that I could still remember how to diagram sentences from 7th grade, haha! But seriously, having returned to school as a ‘nontraditional’ student at 33, I was really worried that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the younger students. Luckily for me, a lot of it came back so I could keep up with my peers.

What do you love most about teaching? Why did you choose this profession?

I chose this profession because my older sister became a teacher, so I wanted to follow in her footsteps. I saw how much passion she had for it, which inspired me to get into teaching. I love watching children grow in their learning experiences and I love that I am able to be a part of that.

What lessons did you learn at UC that have stuck with you over the years? How has your UC education helped you be the best teacher you can be?

Having a UC education has helped me with being a hands-on teacher, making learning intentional and meaningful for children. I had some amazing professors and mentors during my educational journey. One person that was very influential to me was Brenda Heironymous. She was my mentor during my practicum and I always admired her love for children and seeing her in the classroom. Taking what I learned from her has pushed me to be the best teacher I know how. Although, I would never be able to fill her shoes.

What has teaching through a pandemic taught you? What lessons have you learned over the last year? What keeps you motivated?

Some things I have learned while teaching through the pandemic are flexibility and just to keep smiling. Being a planner and not knowing what to expect was hard for me at first, but once I learned that it was okay to not have a plan and to just take it one day at a time, and remembering to breathe, then I was able to press on and realize it will not be like this forever.