What do you think about
peer teaching by kids? What is your first recollection
of teaching someone something?
Share your thoughts and memories here.
From Vicki in St. Louis, MO:
I've told this story numerous
times, especially when I'm interviewed on the radio.
My first grade teacher, Mrs. Robinson, inspired me
to become a teacher. I've gone to public school my
entire life and Mrs. Robinson taught me in Mount Vernon
Elementary in St. Petersburg, FL in 1969. I could tell
she loved us, all of us. You could tell from the way
she carefully planned her lessons to how she decorated
our room to how she spoke to us, even if we were bad.
She spent a lot of time looking for ways to let us
each know we were special. We did a number of things
that showcased our individual talents and gifts whether
it was an "About Me" display or a story book
we created ourselves. I still have the class story
book we wrote. Each child wrote something about ourselves
to share with the class. Mrs. Robinson put them all
together in a book and we each illustrated our page.
It is something I treasure. I was new to the school
and she went out of her way to make me feel welcome
and that I belonged. When it came time to go to second
grade, i was devastated that Mrs. Robinson wouldn't
be my teacher again. Saying goodbye to her was one
of the hardest things I ever did. We moved the next
year and she wrote me a note on her personalized note
paper saying that she would always remember the sweet,
red headed girl that I was. I still have that note.
I also have a photo taken of me looking up adoringly
at her. It was for the newspaper, but I don't know
why.
From Sara in St. Louis, MO:
I knew I would be a teacher
in second grade. Then, as a 12-year-old, I loved
to babysit and teach little kids how to do things. I
never
tired of it. It gives me as much pleasure today after
over 30 years of teaching.
From Hillary in Edwardsville, IL:
I went up to my teacher
in math class, showed her one of my peanut butter crackers
and a cheese cracker and said, "Look! A circle
and a square!"
From Mary in St. Louis, MO:
My aunt Inga, whom I called "Sis," and
I were shopping at the corner grocery store. As I waited
at the check out counter, I noticed several boxes of
Campbell's soup stacked near the doorway. I wanted to
share what I thought I knew! Pointing to the word 'soup'
on a box I enthusiastically said, "Look, Sis! That
says 'SO' 'UP'!" I was so excited to share what
I had learned in Kindergarten.
From Cindy in Rochester, NY:
It's never too late! As
far as my getting into teaching – I certainly
did not wish to become one in college. In fact, nothing
was farther from my mind. After staying home with the
kids, I discovered no one was interested in my 7-year-old
lab skills. I was applying to go back to school in
another year to become a physician's assistant when
a friend called me to say she had volunteered my name
as a possible tutor in biology. I ended up tutoring
three students all year and several others for shorter
terms. Those students encouraged me to go into teaching
saying that I had a knack for it. Meanwhile I discovered
I loved doing it. Hence, when NYS offered Empire State
Scholarships to train people in math and science to
become teachers, I jumped at the chance. Fifteen years
later, I cannot imagine any other career. I love it!
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