Name: Sonora Sheldon Seacat
Location: Northwest R-I, House Springs, Missouri
Class/content area taught: 8th Grade Math & Algebra 1
What are you most excited about with your new career? It’s so fun to finally have my own classroom. Throughout college, I formed many ideas related to my classroom procedures, layout, decorations, structure, etcetera. Now those ideas are coming to life!
What you enjoy most about teaching: I love building relationships with my students. It’s much easier to teach when you know your students on a personal level. My students are leaders, peacemakers, dreamers, action-takers, adventurers, and innovators. I love watching their personalities shine in the classroom.
In what ways has your school/district supported you? I am so blessed to be working here. I knew very little about this school, district, and community when I moved to the area, so I really lucked out! I work with an incredible group of educators. They have been so supportive throughout my first year of teaching. From giving classroom management advice to recommending a good car mechanic, my coworkers have my back!
What are some specific things you believe KSU especially helped prepare you for your new career? Because I’m not teaching in Kansas, I was worried about not being very familiar with the state standards. Thankfully, Dr. Martinie did an incredible job of teaching us how to break down and analyze standards. She also passed on a wealth of teaching tools and strategies that I have been able to both apply in my own classroom and share with other teachers.
Are there specifics about your background that make teaching the perfect fit for you? I come from a long line of educators. Both of my dad’s parents were teachers. My mom teaches social studies. My aunt teaches kindergarten. I also have a large number of cousins who are educators or are currently studying to be an educator. Because of this strong connection to education, I grew up with a great respect for teachers and the teaching profession. However, it wasn’t until the end of my freshman year of college, after trying out two other majors, that I realized I also wanted to be a teacher. At the start of college, teaching almost seemed too obvious of a career choice, so I think I had to try other majors first in order to be certain.
Suggestions/encouragement for new teachers: Teaching is not an easy profession. There will be a lot of days that are physically or emotionally draining. It’s incredibly rewarding though. Nothing beats getting an unexpected note from a student that says, “You are the best teacher ever! Thank you so much!”
Bonus question, thanks to the Pandemic: COVID-19—How has the Pandemic shaped your classroom—the environment, safety precautions, etc.? How has it affected you as a new teacher? Teaching during a pandemic is crazy. There is no other way to put it. When my friends ask what my teaching schedule looks like, it usually takes me at least 10 minutes to explain our hybrid learning structure and they get a look on their face that says, “I wish I had never asked.” I could also probably write a ten-page essay on the subject of teaching during a pandemic, but I’ll spare you and summarize my thoughts with this statement: Teaching is not easy. Teaching during a pandemic is definitely not easy. Nevertheless, teaching is necessary. I did not choose to become a teacher because I thought it would be an easy career choice. I became a teacher because I saw a need that I wanted to help fill. Because of the pandemic, I have learned to adapt and problem solve in ways that I never would have previously considered. While there are many aspects of the pandemic that are unfortunate, I am thankful for the opportunities it has presented educators to grow and learn.