K/1 Combo Teacher: Erica
Today I have Erica Hoemann who taught a Kindergarten and First grade combination class this past year. I first connected with her over Instagram and loved how many fun books she always has! I always check out her page to find some fun reads for my students. I love connecting with teaches like Erica because their passion oozes from their instagram pages. Here is Erica’s interview:
1. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I knew that I wanted to help people and make a difference but I had no idea that would lead me to teaching! When I was younger, I remember wanting to be a doctor or a veterinarian so that I could help animals and people. As I started my first year of college, I was undecided and was leaning more towards social work. I quickly realized the social work field would put too much stress on me emotionally. Finally, I landed on a degree in education! Best decision ever!
2. Is there a moment that sticks out to you that you remember from school with a teacher you had growing up ?
My family jokingly always loves to remind me about how ironic it is that I became a teacher because growing up, school was really hard for me. I pretty much struggled in most academic areas until about 5th grade when things started to click. There were a few moments in elementary school that came to mind and have impacted the teacher that I knew I did not want to be! Surely I am not alone in this...popcorn reading and timed multiplication tests gave me extreme anxiety! When I decided to go down this path I knew that I never wanted my students to feel the way that I did in those moments. At the end of the day, the goal is for each of my students to feel validated, loved, and successful...not defeated! Thankfully, we have adopted other methods of teaching over the years!
3. How long have you been teaching, what do you teach, and what did it take for you to get there?
This was my 7th year teaching in...wow! It goes by so fast! I got my bachelor's degree from Northwest Missouri State University in Elementary Ed and Early Childhood Ed and my masters from Missouri State University in reading! I taught kindergarten for four years before moving to another school and taking a position as a first grade teacher. This past August my principal came to me with the opportunity to teach a kindergarten and first grade split based on our incoming kindergarten numbers. I had taught both grade levels separately but never at the same time. At first I was super stressed and had no idea how I was going to make it work, but I am so happy that I took on the challenge! I even get to loop with the kindergarten babes. Yay!
4. What is your go-to tool you use in the classroom and why?
If I had to choose just one go-to tool, I would have to go with my reading and math daily slides that I display for workshop stations. Visuals are super important, especially for the littles! The slides display which station they are supposed to go to and a timer so they can see how much time is left. There is a specific sound that goes off to tell the students when to clean up and when to switch to the next station. It takes lots and lots of practice, but totally worth it! The daily slides are a management must-have in my classroom!
5. Is there anything you do to accommodate your students and how often do you find yourself using that accommodation?
Making accommodations definitely depends on your students and each of their needs, but that starts with building relationships from day one! In general, I am a huge believer in using visuals in the classroom to model skills, behaviors, and routines! One of the accommodations that I find myself using most often are visual schedules! I’ve had students that really struggle with transitions and changes to their routine- they need to know exactly what is going to be happening that day and a visual schedule helps anticipate what their next task or activity is going to be. Getting to know your kiddos is definitely step one!
6. I love your instagram and all of the fun books you share, where do you find all of your books?
Instagram and Pinterest are probably the number one way that I find new books to share with my students! I also love ordering books through Scholastic book clubs or the book fairs at school...and they are so affordable!
7. Any advice for a new teacher?
Ask questions! My first year, I was skeptical to ask my teammates questions because I thought if I asked questions I might look like I didn’t know what I was doing or wasn’t a “good teacher”. That is not the case! We were all new to this at some point and no amount of education can truly prepare you for stepping into your own classroom for the first time! On the flip side of that, you are going to have SO many great ideas thrown at you- whether it’s from your teammates, Pinterest, teachers you follow on Instagram...it is impossible to do it all. Implement a few things at a time when you feel comfortable. Don’t forget to make time for yourself! Teaching is a big part of who you are, but it is not everything that you are!
8. How has it been teaching virtually?
At first I really struggled with the transition! I have a very outgoing personality, I love going to school and socializing with my co-workers and the kids! With all the extra screen time I was getting terrible headaches and felt like I was working way more hours than I did when we were actually at school. Fast forward, this is our last week of virtual learning and things are going much better! I am finally in a good routine and making sure that I schedule some time away from the screen to walk my dogs, workout, and relax! With that being said, I was not meant for the “working from home” life and I really hope that we are back in the classroom this Fall :)
9 .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?
Honestly, I have no idea what is going to happen but I’m trying to stay positive. I am really hopeful that we will go back in the fall and things will somewhat go back to normal. My favorite part of this job is building relationships and I don’t know how we could do that authentically without being in the classroom together.
10. Last but not least, where do you see yourself in ten years?
Reading is my favorite subject to teach, hands down! I got my master’s in reading and would love to be a reading interventionist down the road and work with struggling readers. I also have thought about teaching elementary education classes at the college level too!
Thank you Erica!
Happy Teaching :)