2nd Grade Teacher: Jacey Schank
I love interviewing other teachers to see what their education journey looks like! I think that sharing our stories is extremely important to learn from each other and why I started this corner on my blog: Teacher Talk. It can be hard to connect to other teachers at times so I wanted to offer a safe space to do that. Jacey Schank is a 2nd grade teacher who is paving the way to help burn out teachers. If the pandemic taught us anything it has been to set boundaries as a teacher and what that looks like. I am so excited to share her journey with all of you:
1. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A nurse! Until I saw a dislocated hand on TV at the Olympics and thought… NOPE.
2. Is there a moment that sticks out to you that you remember from school with a teacher you had growing up?
YES! My 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Morris, changed my life. She was both kind and structured, which as a child was exactly what I needed!
3. How long have you been teaching, what country/state do you teach in, what do you teach, and what did it take for you to get there?
This is my 10th year of teaching!
I taught half a year of 1st, one year of 3rd, and the rest 2nd!
I teach in rural ND! Honestly, I am teaching in the town I grew up in! So I know the people here and they know me. I interviewed and got offered that same day!
4. What is your go-to tool you use in the classroom and why?
Jolly ranchers… Kids will do ANYTHING for something small. I also really have loved doing morning soft starts where they get to play/read/draw! It has been awesome!
5. Every teacher has something they are passionate about changing in education, what do you hope to change as a teacher?
I think probably the same as most. The pay, the respect, the boundaries. The people who are dictating our pay and rules are NOT people who have ever been in a classroom. It’s not okay.
6. I absolutely love that you are helping burnt out teachers through your Podcast The Happiness Project and Instagram, what inspired you to start your podcast and find your way out of being a burnt out teacher?
I love this question! I was the burned out teacher. I was taught from a few veteran teachers my first year that in order to be a good teacher you dedicated your whole life to teaching. And if you didn’t, you were a bad teacher. I got myself into burnout FAST. When I decided to get out, I’ve made it my life mission to change that. To let teachers know you MUST set boundaries… you NEED to respect your contracted time. If we want change in education, we need to be the change.
7. Any advice for a new teacher you wish you had known for their first day of work?
What the teach you in college is NOTHING like the classroom, so don’t rely on that knowledge. And set boundaries IMMEDIATELY.
8. What has been the most challenging aspect of being a teacher?
Admin and parents… I could write a book on both, but I’ll leave it at that!
9. A lot of people have been saying they hope things start to change in education since the Pandemic, what is one thing about the school system you hope changes?
Better pay, more resources to help with challenging kiddos. We have to stop putting a bandaid on things.
10. Last but not least, where do you see yourself in ten years?
If education doesn’t change, I definitely see myself stepping away from teaching. I hope that doesn’t scare any new teachers. But the reality is we are expected to do SO much when we aren’t even close to qualified to do ½ the things they ask us to do.
Instead of teaching I can see myself working from home running our small business! Or being in charge of other company’s social media!
If education DOES change, I hope to be a title teacher! My dream has ALWAYS been to help kids who struggle to read or struggle with math!
A huge thanks to Jacey for her interview!