It seems like everywhere we turn people are talking about the shortage of educators in our schools. MEA caught up with some of our Early Career Educators, each with distinctly different journeys to the classroom, and asked them to reflect on their school year.
Kendrah Willey
Kendrah is a first-year Science teacher at So Do Mo Cha Middle School in Dover Foxcroft. A graduate of the University of Maine, Kendrah was a member of MEA’s Aspiring Educators and served on the MEA Board during her senior year. Kendrah will be joining the Board again this year, representing District C.
What inspired you to become an educator?
I did not know that I wanted to be an educator until I had the chance to begin some of my college classes. As I continued through them, I found that while I enjoyed the content of my courses, what I loved was being a part of learning within them. I also reflected back on teachers that had truly impacted my life. There have been many times this year I have thought of them. My past teachers truly set the bar so high for me, and I have great role models to look up to because of them.
What is one thing that surprised you this year?
One thing that surprised me about my first year of teaching was the sense of community among teachers. I feel extremely lucky to work in a place and state that has my back and lifts me up as an educator. I know there are people that want to see me succeed, but I just did not expect there to be so many of them.
What is one thing that you wish you had known before starting this year?
I wish I knew that before I started the school year is that a lot of teaching is about relationships and understanding the non-academic needs of your students. I’ve heard cliché statements like “teachers wear many hats.” Now I know how true they are. I have found myself mediating disagreements, braiding hair, repairing clothing, providing snacks, being a referee for football and four-square at recess, providing first aid, cheering on students in extracurriculars, and supplying tissues during hard times—just to name a few.
These “hats” were things that I was not prepared for when I began teaching. College taught me how to plan and execute effective lessons, but nothing prepared me for the many “hats” I would wear as an educator. It was overwhelming at first, but now I am proud that I get to support so many kids in a positive way.
What are you looking forward to next year?
One thing that I am looking forward to next year is gaining confidence as an educator. After being through my first year, I know what to expect in some aspects of teaching, while I know there are others that are still unpredictable. Having experience under my belt helps me to reflect and grow is something that I am thankful for.
How has your union supported you?
MEA has supported me in several ways as a first-year teacher. I have attended several professional development sessions that helped me gain confidence as I took on my first year of teaching; these sessions taught me about my rights and several ways to support students. MEA has also connected me with a community of teachers across that state. If I have questions about academic content or how to handle specific IEP questions, I know someone who could help and provide support! I would not be the educator that I am today without the support of MEA in both my days as an aspiring educator, and my days as a first-year teacher. Thank you, MEA!!!
Lauren Bergeron
Lauren’s career in education and teaching multilingual learners started ten years ago and has spanned multiple countries and continents. After teaching English abroad for a number of years, Lauren has returned to New England and teaches K-5 Spanish at Mildred L. Day school in Arundel.
What inspired you to become an educator?
For me, and, presumably, many others in the field, the desire to become an educator was inspired by having a positive learning experience of my own as a child. Spanish class, in particular, completely changed the way my younger eleven-year-old self saw the world outside of the rural, largely monocultural landscape where I grew up in central New Hampshire. The introduction of a new language (and the various ways of using that same language across several different countries that claim it as its national tongue), unfamiliar foods, and boisterous celebrations rooted in Hispanic culture opened up a well that I had to get to the bottom of.
Fast forward twenty or so years, and I’m still searching for the bottom of that well–though I’ve got a sneaking suspicion there is no bottom–and inviting others to join me in my pursuit. So far, the journey has taken me all over the map: working as a volunteer English teacher in Costa Rica while studying abroad, teaching Spanish at Boston College while earning my master’s in Hispanic Studies, serving at bilingual elementary schools while living in Seville, Spain, for six years, and, most recently, nestling into my niche as a K-5 Spanish teacher here in Arundel, Maine.
What is one thing that surprised you this year?
During the second week of school, we unexpectedly welcomed two new students from Ukraine. Not only were they tasked with adjusting to life in a new country and making friends in a new school, but they were also propelled into an entirely new language. While they quickly received English language learning support from our team, some wondered whether or not sending them to Spanish class would put too much on their plate. I was sensitive to the students’ needs but, ultimately, encouraged their attendance in Spanish. As it turns out, the immersive Spanish environment became a confidence-boosting, even playing field for these students. The language was just as new for them as it was for many of the others in their respective classes, thereby placing success within equal reach for all students–regardless of their native language. This was tremendously gratifying to be a part of, and it further validated my approach to immersive language teaching.
What is one thing that you wish you had known before starting this year?
I wish I had known sooner how at home I’d feel in this new school. The excitement of starting fresh somewhere is often met with a competing amount of nervous anticipation. Knowing how welcoming and supportive the students and staff at Mildred L. Day School would be from day one certainly would have spared me a few of those pesky first-year jitters. 🙂
What are you looking forward to next year?
I’m looking forward to building upon the strong foundation that’s been set this year. Coming into this year, it was difficult to know where my students would be at—particularly because the Spanish program had been passed through several different sets of hands within a short period of time. Now, I’ve got a much clearer idea of what my students bring to the table, what challenges they’re capable of rising to, and how we can maximize our time together each week. The students are familiar with our classroom routines, they’re more confident in the immersive space, and, most importantly, they see that it can be a lot of fun, too! Onward and upward!
How has your union supported you?
One thing I can say with absolute certainty is how grateful I am to the MEA for the work they’ve done, alongside KAKEA and the RSU 21 administration, in advocating for full-time world language teaching positions at the elementary level. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say, “Really?! That young?!” upon sharing that I teach Spanish to kindergarteners. Yes, really—and not only that but, in fact, it’s one of the most critical times to learn a language. The MEA’s support in this area made this first year possible for me, and it continues to nourish the kind of teaching that I am most passionate about and hope to pursue for years to come.
What is one thing you are going to do to rest and recharge this summer?
I’ll be keeping quite busy this summer working as a guide for an outdoor education organization in Portland and DIY-ing my way down the aisle for my wedding in August. In the occasional quiet moments that I’m able to scoop up this summer, I’ll likely be picnicking at the beach, camping off-grid, or pouring energy into a few creative projects.
Hilary Koch
After years of being a caregiver, Hilary restarted her career in education at Maranacook Community Middle School, teaching German. Hilary also serves on our Government Relations Committee at MEA and was recently elected to the MEA Board for District F.
What inspired you to become an educator?
I was bullied in junior high – a few things made such a difference in my life. A teacher was one of them, but I didn’t know at the time I would become a teacher. It wasn’t until I was in college, when I had the opportunity to work as assistant teacher for German classes, that I realized I enjoyed it and had some skill for the profession.
What is one thing that surprised you this year?
I started the year with a lot of teaching experience, but this was my first year in a public school. I came into the year with more worries about how things might be different in “public school” than necessary. My biggest surprise – how much I would LOVE it! From the students to the staff – I feel like I’ve found my home at MCMS and never want to leave! Sure, it was an exhausting year, but this has been one of the most fulfilling teaching positions I’ve ever had.
What are you looking forward to next year?
A lot of this year was about learning the ropes and establishing relationships with students and staff, but it’s all been a blur. I’m looking forward to taking advantage of professional development opportunities and really digging in next year and helping my students to become really excited about learning German.
How has your union supported you?
I attended the winter conference with a colleague and came back so energized! I learned so much from the contract session, and what I learned has already benefited some of my colleagues and me when some questions came up this year. After the conference, I signed up to serve on an MEA committee to stay involved.
Many people don’t realize that the MEA serves all teachers – not just those who pay dues. (Isn’t that wonderful?!) Many first-year teachers might not know they can even reach out to their Union building representative if they don’t belong to the MEA. I think every first-year teacher should know this.
What is one thing you are going to do to rest and recharge this summer?
I didn’t find a way to balance work and exercise this year. I’m looking forward to getting outside and doing daily exercise again. My hope is to carry that habit over and incorporate it into the work week once school resumes. I prioritized my job this year – and that’s ok because I loved it so much. But next year, I must make time for exercise – it’s important to me. It’s a form of therapy for me and I know it will help ensure I’ll be more present for my students.
