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Take Your Desk to the Front of the Class
Karen Voller ‘00
English Major
Fourth Grade Teacher
Carpenter Elementary School
Downey, Calif.
Learning in London
“My decision to become a teacher in an urban setting in California is closely linked to my study abroad trip to London during my junior year at CSB and SJU. It was during my time away that I realized how very much I needed to be in a career where I would always have the opportunity to be involved in classroom learning, and it was there that I gained so much knowledge about my philosophy of education because of the very hands-on type of learning experiences I had.“Education really became so exciting while on my study abroad trip, and it was there that I realized that I wanted to be someone who could excite students about learning as much as our professors did. I also realized by studying abroad that by going to new places you learn so much about yourself and others, so that is why I decided to teach in a place very different than what I was used to in Minnesota.”
Learning in a Diverse Setting
“After graduating from CSB and SJU, I went on to get my master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. While finishing my master's degree and thinking about my career, I decided that I wanted to teach outside of Minnesota. I applied for and was hired as a fourth grade teacher at Carpenter Elementary School in Downey, Calif., (about 10 miles from Los Angeles). I work primarily with English language learners.“I am so glad that I chose this position because I have learned a lot about the teaching profession by working in a diverse learning community alongside very dedicated professionals in helping this population of learners achieve educational success. I also work with a group of about 50 students in an after-school running club, which I enjoy because it's rewarding to see the kids in a different setting outside the classroom.”
Learning while Teaching
“Every day for me as a teacher is a learning experience, whether it be in terms of the content I am teaching, the methodology, or simply in how I work with my students and help understand and meet their very individual needs.
“One very outstanding learning experience I had was attending a four-day national teacher conference with the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) in New Orleans, La., and hearing Gay Su Pinnell—a role model and important figure in the topic of reading—discuss her views on reading in our schools.”
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