Lanaya Ballou
Lanaya has her hands full teaching 1st grade in the morning and 2nd grade in the afternoon at Morgan Elementary School in Beloit. For both classes she teaches Math, Science, and Social Studies and Community Circle with the First Graders. Lanaya says, "It's been an interesting position coming into two very well established classrooms and with two very experienced teachers. Just getting some space for storage has been a challenge." but says, “most of the kids are great and this is what we are there for. I wasn't quite prepared for all the politics to the extent of what I've seen in many realms. Beloit College has influenced my teaching style, which is not always what the school district of Beloit wants. Being accepted both by fellow teachers and the parents (who don't always like or understand the curriculum, especially Math) has been a challenge at times. Thinking out of the box, creativity, and independence are not always wanted qualities in a school district. Sometimes you can feel very stifled by the curriculum, expectations, and the rules and paperwork. Even just a few parents can make your life as a teacher feeling like you are always on the defensive side at times. "Respect" is a word that I find missing often in my first year as an Elementary Teacher. All this said, most of the kids are great and this is what we are there for. The students at my school are lively and up for new challenges. It has been a very busy year, as I expected it would be, but there have been a few unexpected surprises along the way. I have given it a lot of work and feel that elementary teachers really need more paid prep time for creative classes, grading papers, and lesson planning and evaluation. One of the most fun things I have done is start a French Club on Tuesdays after school for an hour. I have 17 very interested First and Second Graders in the Club who are really interested in learning about another culture and language." To new teachers she says, "Good luck and be persistent in your dreams and goals, even though it may be quite difficult at times." updated 4-30-07
Kristi Jones
Kristi is currently teaching 3rd grade language arts and social studies at Gaston Elementary and working with the SAGE program at Robinson Elementary. She says, "I love working with the kids! The bureaucracy and the increasing emphasis on testing are frustrating. At Beloit, in our education classes, we learned the importance of giving kids the chance to be creative and to think critically. That is one of the biggest challenges." updated 4-30-07
Malory Sauer
Mallory teaches science, social studies, math, art, computer tech, reading and writing at the Affiliated Alternatives, an alternative school in Madison, WI, which houses a student-aged parent program (SAPAR), a retained 9th grader program (AERO), a work and learn program (W&L), and her program (CLUSTER). She is the head teacher for the Cluster program, which is a 7th and 8th grade class of students who are at risk of expulsion from the district, and says, "Most of my students are special needs and all of them exhibit behaviors that impede their ability to learn in a traditional classroom setting." She believes, "Beloit's education program has influenced my teaching by emphasizing the value of self reflection. I constantly reevaulate my methods and it is making me a stronger teacher daily. Also, the Beloit education program highlights progressive teaching and sometimes "far out" methods are the only ones that work for your students." She says, “Never give up, even on days when you feel like a bad teacher. If you keep trying, reading, talking to other educators, and reflecting daily you will make progress! And, you can never read enough about positive discipline." updated 4-30-07