NJ Teachers’ Lounge is excited to continue its Teachers of New Jersey series in 2018. Due to the overwhelming popularity of the series, it now comes out twice a month. This editorial series is curated by photojournalist, Gregory Andrus, creator of the social media series, Portraits of the Jersey Shore. These stories highlight the joys, struggles, and personal reflections that surround being a teacher.
“I teach math to mixed-abilities students. I have autistic, ADHD, and other students with learning disabilities. I usually teach them one specific way, then I go back to each student, and figure out what works best for them on an individual basis, based on what their challenges are.”
“I definitely have a good connection with them and their parents. The parents are so appreciative of what I do, and the way I work with their kids. I just had my first IEP meetings with the parents, and they were just like, ‘You really know what makes my daughter tick, and you know how to get her to do things that carry over into our home now. She is better at her homework, and better organized.’ I help the parents to be inspired to keep the momentum going at home with what we learn in the classroom.”
“I started doing this because I was inspired by my mom’s friend when I was younger. She was a speech therapist, and she worked with students with autism, and the stories she would share with us really inspired me. I decided I wanted to do that, too, and I went to college and got an internship working with students with autism. I knew at that point that this was what I wanted to do with my life. It has been so rewarding, and I love it: the challenges, the successes, all of it.”
~ Woodland Park
What English teacher inspired you? Or is doing good for their community? Let us know in the comments!
