1st Grade Teacher: Hannah

Today for Teacher Interview Thursday I have hannah_ashleigh . I fell in love with her Instagram because it gives a great well rounded look at a teachers life and that it’s not just work 24/7. She’s also a first year teacher like so many others out there so I thought her perspective would be great to share with everyone.

Here is Hannah’s interview:

1. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Growing up I really did not know what I wanted to be, but I always found myself playing school. I would copy all of my school and give it to my stuffed animals and teach them. I even had a whiteboard in my bedroom. 

2. Is there a moment that sticks out to you that you remember from school with a teacher you had growing up?

In Elementary school I struggled with reading and all my teachers before fifth grade always limited me to what I could read. I remember walking into my fifth grade teachers class and her telling me to choose whatever book I wanted it could be about anything. She was always encouraging me to try my hardest and never gave up on me. 

3. How long have you been teaching, what state do you teach in, what do you teach, and what did it take for you to get there?

This is my first year teaching! I teach in the great state of Texas, I went to school in Oklahoma and got certified in Oklahoma. I then had to get a one-year non-renewable certificate in Texas and have one year to get all my Texas tests finished and passed. I was lucky that I knew I was coming to Texas so I was taking my Texas test at the same time I took my Oklahoma ones making the process a lot smoother. I am now teaching 1st grade.

4. Is there anything you do to accommodate your students and how often do you find yourself using that accommodation?

I am so lucky to have students who need to be challenged in different areas and given extra assistance in others. I say I accommodate their different needs every day, because I have students with such diverse learning needs. I know not all my kids need the same thing. It takes a lot of patience and time but it is so rewarding. 

5. I see that you are also a pure barre instructor, that's so fun! How did you get into that and what advice would you give a teacher who's looking to do something similar while still teaching?

I started taking pure barre classes in college and fell in love with the first class I took and knew I wanted to be an instructor! Taking on any side job along with teaching can be challenging but I know being an instructor is very rewarding. You make great friends with other instructors and you get to watch clients become stronger and more confident. For me it is a passion just like teaching I truly just love teaching and Pure Barre Richardson is such a great community.  

6. Any advice for a new teacher?

Breath! haha for me right now I just have to tell myself to not stress the same stuff. Go home and relax and try to set a clear work life balance from the start. I alway try to be positive about every situation because if you are negative it can ruin everything and sometimes you just need to laugh it off. 

7. What is your district's plan for going back to school in the fall?

Right now we are virtual until after labor day. 

8. A lot of people have been saying they hope things start to change in education since this Pandemic, do you think anything will change from it?

I would like to see some things change but i am not certain if they will. 

9. Last but not least, where do you see yourself in ten years?

I hope in education I still have a passion for teaching, I also would love to get my masters in Speech dyslexia and stay working in the schools with children. 

Thanks Hannah!

Happy Teaching :)