Julie Comstock, a fourth-grade teacher at Morris Hill Elementary at Fort Riley, is preparing for her first year as a classroom teacher. She’s beginning the year with 14 students, “with more on the way within the month,” she says.
We asked how KSU has prepared her for the classroom.
“As an everyday civilian, I never had much interaction with children associated with the military. That was, until I had a practicum experience on Fort Riley two years ago. I was introduced to a population of children who had more life experience in the first 10 years of their life than others obtain in a lifetime. They have lived around the world, speak multiple languages, been the “new kid at school” a handful of times, and learned to accept others from all walks of life. Without Kansas State’s mission of giving their students well-rounded practicum experiences, I would’ve moved back to Hawaii and worked in the same comfortable community where I was raised. Instead, I found children that touch my heart each day and have inspired me to plant roots here in my Manhattan, Junction City, and Fort Riley community. I create a home for children who don’t have a hometown. I create a family out of children whose parents are deployed across oceans. I create stability in a child’s life that is rocked by sudden moves and household shifts. I do good work. Thank you, Kansas State.”
And what is she most excited about this fall?
“I’m excited to see what I’m capable of and grow alongside my students. Since I signed my contract, I have worked tirelessly for my students, so that they can believe in themselves in the same way that I do. I work nights and weekends to be sure that my students have the tools that they need to reach their full potential, academically and socially. I’m excited to see the growth that they will make…. Oh, I’m also looking forward to any and every reason to wear a costume to work….
“My fourth graders study at the ‘University of 4th grade.’ They take ownership for their learning and realize the impact they are making on their whole life. They declare a major in a subject that interests them, vote on a mascot that best reflects our community, apply for the school year, recite our college mission (‘I am important, I matter’), and earn credits to move onto fifth grade. My students are fascinated by college and are excited to take on the rigor of the school year.”