Diverse Educators with Diverse Professional Backgrounds - Denver Public Schools Its a question each of us heard throughout our childhood: What do you want to be when you grow up? For Shakira Abney-Wisdom, the answer always came without hesitation. At the end of the day, I was going to be a cardiologist and work with children. That was the plan through middle school, high school and college. I just knew, she said. Those plans -- and her career -- changed following a one-year commitment as a teacher at Montbello High School with City Year, where she had a change of heart. It was a cool culture with amazing student pride in their school, but the student demographic did not meet the teacher demographic, she said. There was a tangible disconnect in the classroom, and that really frustrated me. Abney-Wisdom could closely identity with that disconnect. As a student, she never had a science teacher of color until college, while she never had an African American teacher until her senior year of college. I dont think you have to be a person of color to connect on that basic level with students of color, but I am certain that it helps me in my class everyday. The impact those teachers of color had on me... I continue to model my life after their work ethic, she said. Inspired to quickly make an impact and be that role model for students in Far Northeast Denver, Abney-Wisdom pursued and completed her teaching degree through Denver Teacher Residency, a year-long training program offered through Denver Public Schools (r-js/1DmDR4d). Now a biology teacher at Collegiate Prep Academy, Abney-Wisdom also leads her school community on developing and nurturing school culture. If [a student] has a teacher who shares [their] traditions, or at least has a deep understanding of what those traditions mean, thats something that means... [they are not] alone, she said. It creates community. I want kids to know they are valuable, and what they care about is valuable. A few miles away at Maxwell Elementary School, Fourth Grade Teacher Cynthia Sarlo expresses a similar story for why she got into teaching. I think its an advantage for them to have a teacher who comes from the same place they did, she said. Sarlos first career was in television news, where she reported for the Spanish television network Telemundo. After starting a family, she found a new passion: guiding and inspiring students toward success. I have the same story as so many of them, since I was born and raised in Mexico as well, Sarlo said. Its always been in my heart to provide students who come from my background with that motivation and that idea that, as soon as they graduate, they can do anything they want. They can have the success just like I did, moving from another country and coming here. Thanks to Denver Teach Today, an alternative licensure program through Denver Public Schools (r-js/14pXrNR), Sarlo is currently pursuing her teaching license while teaching today and making that immediate impact on her students lives. My family, theyre from Mexico, said Ruby Luna, a fourth grade student at Maxwell Elementary School. When Im working and say, Mrs. Sarlow, I dont understand, she knows what I am going through and helps me work harder and do better. For Abney-Wisdoms students, the impact of having a teacher whose story matches their own is greater than on their academic successes alone. I think its really powerful, said Desaree Fletcher, a junior at CPA. Knowing someone has the same experiences as you, its comforting knowing I can come to her and dont have to go through whatever I am dealing with on my own. She stays on me about doing my work, and wants me to be successful in life, said CPA Sophomore Clover McGregor. If we come to talk to her about a situation, whether its in school or in life, she always gives us good advice. Shes just awesome. For Abney-Wisdom, it all comes back to pursuing her heart. Whatever you think your life will be, be open to experiences that can change you and allow you to have an impact and change the trajectory of other peoples lives. Denver Public Schools is always looking for good and motivated people to ensure that Every Child Succeeds. If you are interested in teaching in our schools and communities, consider our internal licensure programs, Denver Teacher Residency (r-js/1DmDR4d) and Denver Teach Today (r-js/14pXs4k). _______ FOLLOW LIPSapp Turnt Up! Radio _______ FB: r-js/1okN3uC / TW: r-js/1k0nYET / Listen Live r-js/1dOIQ18 #pop #hiphop #katyperry #shakira #justinbieber #rihanna #ladygaga #eminem #lilwayne #drake #wizkhalifa #50cent #enriqueiglesias #princeroyce #romeosantos #marcanthony #jbalvin
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 21:15:12 +0000
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