6th Grade Teacher: Natalie

Over this past weekend I had the opportunity to connect over Instagram with The Teaching Files teacher, Natalie Blackman. Let me just tell you she is awesome and is doing so much for her students right now! During this time of uncertainty and new adventures of virtual learning it was awesome that we were able to connect over our Instagram’s and how uncertain our teaching careers have become.

Natalie made me feel a little less alone in this unsure territory that we are facing in both of our careers and I loved her idea of how she hopes this Covid-19 changes our educational system by allowing others to see that we truly do need more support for our students.

1. What did you want to be when you were younger?

When I was younger, I wanted to be a doctor. However, when I got to to the 4th grade, I had an amazing teacher and at that point I knew I wanted to be a teacher. 

2. What do you teach and why did you choose this subject or level?

I currently teach 6th grade Math to 3 groups of kids a day and have 1 Homeroom period in a 6-8 middle school. I previously taught 4th grade Math/Science and self-contained 2nd grade. I moved districts and when I was asked what grade(s) I would be willing to teach, I indicated I was open to middle school. Apparently not many people are so that is how I fell into this position. I actually have always struggled with Math as a learner and never pictured myself teaching middle school so I was terrified. I had just turned 23 when I took this position. I am super glad that I did because I have found my place in teaching with middle schoolers and.. Math!

3. What are your requirements to do during this COVID-19 pandemic and what does that process look for you?

The requirements for me during COVID-19 are to be available during contracted hours of 7:45-3:15 Monday through Friday via phone, email, or in person on rare occasions. We are in charge of making our student's weekly work packets and copied before the following Monday. On Monday's we are holding a "drive-thru" style pick up and drop off for students.

I am a perfectionist and workaholic so I am working hard to keep my kids connected as much as possible. Though not all of them have internet access, most do so I am using platforms like Flipgrid. Class Dojo, Google Classroom, and Instagram to send out challenges and tasks to keep students collaborating.

4. How are you handling this time teaching remotely?

I am tech-savvy and used many online platforms already in my classroom already so that part is natural for me. The not so natural part is not having interactions and communications with students face to face and daily. I am a huge believer of classroom culture and building relationships so I am struggling with finding ways to keep all of my students connected to each other and me.

5. Since schools have been closed there is a lot of talk about how education has not changed in quite some time. What would you like to see change about how we teach our students through our schools?

I watched a video about a nurse speaking out publicly about the underlying issues going on in hospitals, the lack of resources, the overpopulated environments, and the lack of preparation that staff has. By no means am I equating our situations daily in classrooms to what is going on in hospitals currently, but it made a connection for me. As I heard this poor doctor crying out for help describing all of these things that they needed or didn't have, I thought about us teaching. Many of us have classrooms of over 30 students. We have little to no resources or money to fully fund our classrooms. We often are thrown in situations underprepared. I could go on and on, but the biggest change I want to see is a deeper support and investment in school and teachers. Teachers, according to John Hattie, have the highest impact on student achievement and success, so this is where the change in education needs to start.

6. What advice would you give to a teacher who is teaching for the first time this crazy school year?

My advice to a new teacher this school year would be to stay grounded. Find one-two things to stay focused and passionate about and nurture them so they grow. This isn't a typical school year, but you are being given an opportunity to learn so many things that teachers who have been in education for 20+ years have never been exposed to. It probably feels overwhelming (because even for us non-1st year teachers it is) but remember how excited you were at the start of this 1st year and stay grounded in those moments. This will pass and you will return to being a "regular" teacher more prepared than first-year teachers from any other time in history!

7. Any advice on how to stay healthy and happy while teaching from home? What are you doing that is working for you?

Being 100% honest and real, I am struggling with this piece. The only thing that is giving me small moments of joy are the small glimpses I get of students via our online platforms. This is something I am working to get better at.

Thank you again Natalie for allowing me to interview you!

As Always, Happy Teaching :)