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College of Education

In the Classroom: Christa Grider

EdCat Christa Grider is leading her own kindergarten classroom.

Name:  Christa Grider

School district: USD 475

City/State: Fort Riley, KS

Class/content area taught: Kindergarten

What you are most excited about with your new career: Making meaningful connections and learning experiences with my students. That is the BEST part of teaching!!!

What you enjoy most about teaching: There are so many things that I could list for this question, but a few of the most enjoyable moments are being witness to the moments that students connect the content I’ve taught to their real-life experiences, overhearing them apply new vocabulary learned to in-the-moment conversations, and watching each individual learner grow.

A look inside her classroom.

Ways your school/district has supported you: My school district has provided incredible new teacher training for CHAMPS, our policies and benefits, professional learning development and curriculum training specific to each grade level. This support has eased my anxiety in what to expect and know as a new educator. Additionally, my school has provided all the content materials and content manipulatives a new educator could hope and dream for.

Ways KSU especially helped prepare you for your new career: The biggest take away that I learned from KSU was building relationships. This idea goes beyond my classroom students and parents, but also includes my teaching team, my administration, my Cooperating Teachers, my professors and colleagues. These relationships have set me up for success and continue to support my needs with my new career.

The room is ready for students.

Specifics about your background that make teaching the perfect fit for you: As a non-traditional student, I have been able to look at the teaching field from the perspective of a parent. Additionally, being military affiliated I have a deep understanding of Common Core intent and the levels of success and failure within the education system. These personal perspectives have driven my focus and my intent, helping to establish my philosophy of teaching, what it should look like, and how I hope to be as an educator.

Suggestions/encouragement for new teachers: “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Be the inspiration – Be the motivator – Be the factor of change. You Will Be One of These to Someone You Teach” ~ Christa Grider

Don’t forget to take time for you! When we forget to take care of ourselves, our fire to teach will die.

A welcoming start to a new year.