World Teacher Day: Making ‘big shifts’ easier a focus for Seven Persons’ Lana Christmann and Rebecca Drew
Teaching at Seven Persons School is a joy for both Lana Christmann (Grade 4) and Rebecca Drew (Grade 2). Having that contact with the students from pre-kindergarten all the way through to Grade 9, the supportive staff and the way the community comes together all give the school a family vibe.
Both teachers commute from Medicine Hat. Christmann, who has been teaching at the school for 20 years, said, “Even the drive is nice because I collect my thoughts there and back. I don’t really notice the drive too much.”
Christmann has 18 students in her class this year.
“We sometimes have bigger classes, but this year is really nice, the perfect size.”
She’s taught Grade 4 for the past several years. Being the first year of upper elementary, students experience a large jump in personal responsibility, academics and overall abilities.
“There is a big shift,” explained Christmann. “When you set the level high, they will rise to it. It’s amazing to see from the beginning to the end of Grade 4. It’s one of those years, like Grade 1, where you see a really big growth. They have that sweetness, they are still eager and want to learn yet they are also becoming more independent and learning more about themselves.”
She also added that students at this age are more self-motivated and begin bringing forth their own learning styles as they figure out what works best for them. The students are the most rewarding part of teaching, she says.
“When they come into your class, you are getting to know each other and then you become like a family and they become like your kids. You absolutely love them and want the best for them. All the cute stories they come with and seeing those lightbulb moments when they catch something. They are becoming really good citizens, and helping them be the best they can be is exciting.”
Before Seven Persons, Christmann taught at Grasslands in the Brooks area. There has been lots of change since she started teaching.
“One thing that is the same is you still have the love for the kids and the learning and that doesn’t change. Through the years we’ve definitely had more challenges and there is a lot for kids and for staff, but when you are really rooted in what’s important, then you can get through all of that.”
Drew’s students were working on phonemic learning when the News visited her classroom.
“Usually in spelling I incorporate different letter sounds, this week it’s CK,” she said.
Comprehension skills were added into the lesson, with students working at selecting the correct words to complete sentences in a workbook. Drew gave each child who approached for help her undivided attention, guiding them to select the correct words on their own.
This is Drew’s ninth year of teaching and her sixth at Seven Persons. In previous years, she has taught Grade 3 or a Grade 2/3 split classes.
“I love the relationships I get to build,” stated Drew. “I love seeing them happy at school and just wanting to be here. They always give me hugs first thing in the morning and they are just really excited. Watching growth, having a student who struggles and watching them grow is like sunshine.”
There are many challenges in teaching and Drew took a moment to consider what is the greatest one for her.
“I think the biggest challenge is struggling to get the students from where they are to where they need to be and then having challenges for them in the way.”
Those challenges can often include students with behavioural issues or learning difficulties.
“Things like that get in the way of the student’s learning,” Drew said. “I find that very challenging, trying to figure out the right thing for each student. Luckily, I have 12 this year so it’s not like figuring it out for 22 kids and what each needs to learn. It’s not like a ‘sit down, here’s a piece of paper, write it out.’ That doesn’t work for everybody, it’s not the way classrooms are made anymore. It’s figuring out each individual learning style and then getting them there.”