Name: Michelle Beach
School: HAFTR
Subject: High School English
State: NY
What advice would you give to a new or struggling teacher?
1. Lesson planning may seem brutal and ridiculously time consuming now, but it will get easier. You will reach the point when it is second nature!
2. Don't be afraid to admit when you don't know something or make a mistake. Even teachers get to be human, and your students will love when they can teach you something. Offering extra credit to a student who is willing to do the research to figure out the unknown information can be a great tool for independent learning and allow the whole class-including you-to learn something new together.
What’s the nicest thing a student or colleague has ever done to help you?
I took over as the yearbook advisor last year and was having difficulty getting students to hand in required materials. One of my senior girls, who was not then part of the yearbook staff, offered to take over the role of "nag" and make sure they did what they needed to do. She was ultimately so good at this job, that I gave her the title, "The Enforcer" on the yearbook staff list.
What was the last (non-academic) book you read?
Water for Elephants
If you weren't a teacher, what would you be doing?
Probably something in publishing or journalism...
What TV show are you most embarrassed about loving?
"Make It Or Break It"
What is the most challenging part of teaching?
Keeping the students motivated
Something that always gives me a good belly laugh is…
Old episodes of "Friends"
My best day in the classroom was when…
One of my junior girls told me that she'd just read an entire book for the first time in her life. (We had just completed The Kite Runner.)
What’s your secret snack indulgence?
Peanut butter on celery.
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