Chalk It Up! Lindsey Cooper

A s part of the Chalk it Up to Teachers campaign, Teach for America and Experience Project bring you this teacher's story.

Corps Year: 2007

Undergraduate Institution: University of Kentucky

Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky

School: JR Harris Elementary School

Grade/Subject: Pre-kindergarten, bilingual

 

Why did you join Teach For America-Houston?

As my college career came to an end, I was very uncertain about my future plans. I did, however, sense a calling to settle my passion to lead and serve. I saw Teach for America as an outlet for this passion, and an excellent opportunity in which I could alleviate the greatest crisis occurring in our nation, the achievement gap. I was also immediately drawn to the Houston region for its exceptional reputation for having an extremely close-knit corps and excellent regional staff support. I knew I wanted to live in a metropolitan area and use my bilingual skills in order to serve the Spanish speaking population.

 

What are your goals for yourself as a teacher?

As a pre-kindergarten teacher, my goal is to work relentlessly to give each of my students an excellent educational foundation. I have set the bar extremely high, so that my students will begin to understand the difference between being ordinary and extraordinary. As I seek to close the achievement gap, I must continue to increase my effectiveness as a teacher. I know I must become the best teacher possible in order to give each of my students an opportunity to an excellent education.

 

What has surprised you about teaching?

I knew that joining the Houston corps would be a difficult path. However, I did not take into account how rewarding teaching would be. There are days I leave my classroom physically, mentally and emotionally drained. But all of these things are negated when I see Estefany recognize her name on the attendance chart or when Kristy writes her entire alphabet on her morning journal. It is moments like those, when I realize that I am making a difference, that keep me moving forward. When Isabel bounces through the cafeteria in the morning to hug me, collect her breakfast card and tell me that she loves learning, every frustration dissolves. Knowing that my children are on the right path towards significant gains and success is an awesome feeling and a huge surprise.

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