This is an archived UW-P news item,
originally posted: 11/6/2007.
Teacher Power: Going Into High Gear
As a mother of five boys, ages 11 to 19, one would think that Kimberly Jones has more than enough family-raising responsibilities to fill up any given day. Okay, let's let her throw in three or four UW-Parkside classes in communication and teacher education every semester, and then ask her to maintain an exceptional academic record. No problem. How about if she takes on a research assistant position with Dr. Kim for a while, joins Lambda Pi Eta, steps in as "Room Mom" at her sons' school, and, in her spare time, holds the office of Treasurer for the Aquanuts Water Ski Team? How is the university supposed to respond to all of this? Would habitual recognition on the Provost's List do? Could we throw in an Academic Achievement Award for outstanding work in her major? How about a UW-Parkside Communication Department Endowed Scholarship? Well, we try to keep up with her, but we're only human.
"What I like about attending UW-Parkside is the diversity of the student body," Kim said. "I have also found that professors go above and beyond their call of duty. Wendy Leeds-Hurwitz (communication) made me feel like an equal from day one. The professors here give all they have, and more. I want to be that kind of teacher."
Kim believes that the communication major will serve her well as a future teacher. Communication "is the process through which we try to negotiate the meaning and purpose of our lives; and it is influenced by the ways in which we identify ourselves as individuals and as groups." Kim said. "As a teacher I will need to be able to interact with children from many different cultures. My programs have taught me to understand diverse cultures and learning styles."
With her December graduation coming up, Kim is anxious for word on the next and final phase of her undergraduate program: her student teaching placement in an elementary setting. Is she ready? Maybe the real question is: are they ready for Kim? Maybe we should send word to her future student teaching supervisor: Take your vitamins; you're about to shift into high gear!
Publish date: 11/6/2007
