[dropcap]H[/dropcap]ere at iteach, we try to share the spotlight with our certified teachers. We’ve decided that we would like to show off some of our teachers who have gone through our program and are currently teaching. We want to highlight and celebrate their stories and accomplishments with you and other teachers. Our teachers come from all different walks of life and have had different professions before they became a teacher. They have put their time, dedication, and energy into their learning and have shown what teaching means to them. Iteach flourishes because our teachers flourish. Meet our teachers of today, who are changing the lives of students for tomorrow.
Sharon Thomas
Meet Sharon Thomas. Sharon is a Pre-K teacher for St. Michael Catholic School in Crowley, Louisiana. It was here in Louisiana where she received her initial certification. Her favorite lesson/topic to teach is Language Arts. One of her favorite books is What Great Teachers Do Differently. She enjoys reading, cooking, socializing with friends, and watching her daughter play volleyball and tennis. Sharon also volunteers at her daughters’ school by taking part in school activities and fundraisers.
Before Teaching
Before teaching, Sharon was a financial aid counselor at a university. Sharon says she decided to become a teacher when she quit her job to stay at home and raise her children. She used to substitute at their school when they were growing up and was given the opportunity to teach full time at their school.
Sharon says one of her favorite things about being a teacher is being able to see her student’s growth throughout the school year.
Why iTecach?
So, what made Sharon choose iteach? “I chose iteach because it allowed me to work full-time at my teaching job while going to school. It was also a very affordable and fast way to complete my certification.”
With the iteach experience, Sharon has been able to become an even more successful teacher. “I learned many techniques and ideas through the program. My instructors were very helpful with questions and constructive criticism.”
As we all may know, teaching isn’t always a walk in the park. We asked Sharon what the hardest thing about teaching is and if she had any tips or strategies for classroom management. “For me the hardest thing is discipline. The children I teach are very young, so teaching them to follow the rules is the biggest challenge. When it comes to classroom management, you have to actually enforce it and not get too relaxed with it. I notice immediately when I’ve begun to get lazy with discipline, I found myself having to correct more and we get less accomplished in our day.”
Thank you
As we conclude our Iteach Teacher of the Week, Sharon, would like to share some advice for anyone that is considering a teaching career and what she wants her students’ parents to know about her and her classroom. “My advice is to substitute at a local school. This will give you some idea if this is the right profession for you. I would also like my students’ parents to know how much I enjoy teaching their children. The highlight of my day is when you witness those “lightbulb” moments when things start to come together, and they learn something new!”
Thank you, Sharon Thomas, for all your hard work in the community and in the classroom. Keep on teaching and thanks for being a part of iteach.
