First jobs in new environments can seem daunting for anyone, but the transition is compounded when young teachers are faced with a room of expectant high school students and intimidating stares. Yet with the first semester almost finished, new teachers Jane Gillespie, Bessalee Downing and Brianne Vogt have begun to adapt to the new lifestyle and are learning the faces and needs of each student.
Not only brand new to the school, but as a first year teacher, Vogt, who teaches junior and senior English, understands the importance of establishing a system for her classrooms.
?The hardest part is establishing a routine that you feel you can sustain, as far as interaction with the students is concerned,? Vogt said. ?Also, planning and preparation pose a challenge.”
In her student teaching, Downing practiced teaching a class on her own at Sunnyside High School and Sequoia Middle School. There, she taught along side an experienced teacher, but on her own for a unit and class session. Now she teaches Civics and US history after teacher Jon Hall departed.
?I think the hardest part is now to be confident in the decisions as a teacher and not having the master teacher’s desicions to lean on,? Downing said. ?Being confident you made an asset the right choice. Things don’t work out perfect.?
As a new high school teacher, Gillespie prepares herself for new expectations and challenges teaching Math I, Pre-Algebra and now Geometry regular and honors.
?At first I was a little worried about teaching here because I had three and a half preps,? Gillespie said. ?But by now I definitely have a routine down and I’m definitely getting comfortable with the material; I feel prepared. It was hard because I didn’t have much time to get ready, but It’s always hard when you get new material.?
Vogt came with a blank slate, hoping for support and positive attitudes in her first permanent job.
?When I first came, I expected to find a very supportive staff, teachers and administration, environment,? Vogt said ?and I definitely found that to be true. I expected it to be a learning experience for me as a first year teacher and I find that true as well. I still have many things to learn and improve on ? it’s all a new experience.?
After years of college classes and preparation for the job, new teachers must still adjust their expectations in order to succeed.
?It’s been completely different then how I thought,? Downing said. ?Things always take you by surprise. I didnt know what to expect but I just went for it. I’ve gotten to know students, activities and the classroom and established a teaching method.?
In previous years, Gillespie was employed at Washington Union Middle School, and understands the contrast in environments.
“[Fresno Christian] is so different. One moment that stood out after everything happened with the teachers being layed off and stuff, my first period class just really wanted to pray. So for the first 10-15 minutes of school. Seventh and eight graders! It was really touching to me.”
With their first semester finished, the teachers still hope to not only teach their students new curriculum, but also to be relatable and look at the world with perceptive views.
“I would hope that I could help [students] see things with a different perspective,” Vogt said. “That they would look at life different than before. Not necessarily changing their mind, but just introduce the possibility of looking at things differently.”
When circumstances become overwhelming, Vogt enjoys the satisfaction of having helped a pupil improve on what they have learned.
“When a student makes a comment like, ‘that was easy,’ not because it wasn’t hard, but because they have the tools they need to complete the assignment, it feels good to know I helped give them those tools,” she said.
