High Expectations

My name is Heather Staats, and after just competing my undergraduate degree at Marist College I’m gearing up for my first year as a teacher. I studied English and adolescent education in college, and now I’m putting my degree to the test as I enter the public school system in Newark, New Jersey through Teach For America.

My decision to strive for a career in education came from an examination of my past. When I struggled to decide what course of study would prove the best fit for me, I couldn’t shake the image of myself as a student in my English classes from grades 7-12. I learned to read, write thoughtfully, debate, and think about the world from some of the greatest educators in the teaching world. They challenged me and pushed me to go deeper into my thoughts and writing than I ever could have done on my own. They helped me decide where to go to college. They continued to offer assistance if ever I so needed it. They were the reason that I wanted to study English, and their ability to spark and foster that interest in me got me to thinking about how amazing it would be to impart that fire in other students.

I want to teach because I want to provide students with the place where they feel free to express their ideas and opinions and to explore the multitude of texts and genres that could enrich whatever passion they want. I want to give them the skills they need to hunger for improvement and knowledge.

I want this blog to serve as a concrete reminder of why I became a teacher, my goals for myself and my students, and a timeline of what my experience was. Did my Marist education prepare me for what I’m about to see? Are my expectations for my first year of teaching on par with the reality that I will face?

As I understand it, I am about to dive into the public school system where many students do not read at grade level. Many of them are two or more years behind. Because these students are from a lower income district than many schools where students achieve at grade level, these students fall under the umbrella of “the achievement gap” in America. The sad truth is that educational equality doesn’t exist in this country. If you’re born into the wrong district, there’s a good chance that you won’t graduate from high school, let alone go on to higher education. This doesn’t sit well with my bright-eyed, well-intentioned, idealistic self. I’m going into this experience because I intend to make a difference in the lives of these students. 

Ever since I made the decision to go to Newark to teach, everyone from teachers that I met to members of my family and the community have said things such as “Good thing it’s just a two year commitment,” or “You’ll be able to find a job up here after that,” or even “You just can’t teach kids like that without getting burnt out.” In all of those instances, people were not trying to insult what I’m about to do, but the comments irked me nevertheless. I hope that this blog will also serve as a place for me to chronicle some of the success and breakthroughs that I have with my students so that I can educate the people who told me I couldn’t do it with honest examples. 

Next week, I’ll begin training for Teach For America. I know that it will prove a bigger challenge than I’m imagining in my head. It’s specifically because of my background in education that I feel like this will prove challenging. After spending a semester teaching in a high-income high school and a similar middle school, I know that I’m about to encounter students who experience far different circumstances than many of the students whom I’ve encountered in my own teaching experience. While I have taught a handful of students with learning disabilities and who come from low-income backgrounds, the majority of students who I taught came from middle class backgrounds and read on or above grade level. While I am confident that I learned great strategies for teaching and managing a classroom in my two student teaching placements, I am not sure how they will translate to my own classroom.

What I do know is that I can do this. I am unbelievably excited about the opportunity that lies in front of me. I have the privilege of teaching students who really need a teacher. I plan to harness all of the things that I remember enjoying as a student, the various techniques that I learned through my college courses, and the hands on experience that I received while student teaching to give my students the best teacher possible. But beyond that, I will treat my students with the utmost respect and support. I will listen to what they have to say, and teach them to do the same for others. 

This feels a little like a campaign promise, but now that it’s in writing I have no choice but to follow through with it. Watch out Newark - here I come!