Each of the ten girls has a different idea of who they want to be after graduation, and Ready, Set, Teach is helping pave the way for future success. Five of the students are learning by teaching at Bennett Elementary and five are learning by teaching at Frenship Middle School, and after winter break, they will switch campuses.
Read the Q&A below for a more in-depth look at how Ready, Set, Teach is growing these ten girls’ aspirations and goals:
Bennett Elementary
Trista Mitchell
Q: Tell us about you and your time at Frenship as a whole.
A: I have been attending Frenship since 2nd grade and it has been one big adventure! When I started at Bennett Elementary, I was so nervous, but I had amazing teachers that made me feel more welcome than ever. In middle school I was an athlete, part of the Student Council, and part of Tiger Vision News. When I reached high school, I decided it was time for me to figure out who and what I wanted to be. I have taken multiple medical classes, like Principles of Health Science, Medical Terminology, Life Nutrition and Childhood Development, where I heard about Ready, Set, Teach.
Q: What are you learning in the classroom?
A: It is so different to see things from a teachers point-of-view. They do so much to make sure students get what they need to move on in life and succeed.
Q: What are you taking away from working with these students?
A: Because I have gotten many insights on how teachers feel about what they do and why they love it so much, I think that the most important thing I have learned is no matter the problem or situation, all teachers try their best to meet the needs of students and to be the person they can really depend on.
Mallory Reid
Q: Tell us about you and your time at Frenship as a whole.
A: I have been a Frenship Tiger since elementary. I am involved in the mentoring program, Ready, Set, Teach, and I am a part of the National Honors Society.
Q: What are you learning in the classroom?
A: I enjoy everything that I am learning in Ready, Set, Teach. The best part is being in a classroom and working with the kids. I work well with little kids!
Brooklynn Palmer
Q: Tell us about you and your time at Frenship as a whole.
A: I have been with Frenship since 4th grade. I am involved in National Honors Society and the Ready, Set, Teach program. I have loved this year of “teaching.”
Q: What are you learning in the classroom?
A: There is so much that goes into the classroom. It is awesome to see how much planning and preparation goes into every lesson and activity.
Q: What are you taking away from working with these students?
A: I think I am learning more and more about each kiddo and how they learn best. By seeing them work, I get a look into what methods of teaching works well compared to other methods.
Morgan Hayes
Q: Tell us about you and your time at Frenship as a whole.
A: I moved to Frenship in 6th grade, starting out at Terra Vista Middle School and eventually moving to FHS. I am in choir, a part of the bell crew, and Ready, Set, Teach. I have always known that I wanted to be a teacher, even since elementary school, so being a part of this experience is very exciting.
Q: What are you learning in the classroom?
A: Going into the classroom, I did not really know what to expect. I knew I would enjoy it, but I didn’t know how much I would love being in the classroom and how fast I’d get to know the students. They truly make my day every morning when I walk in. The classroom has such a comfortable feel, and I can tell the students really enjoy it. I have already learned so much from the teacher in the classroom I am in. There are so many things about how she runs her classroom that I will do when I have a class of my own.
Q: What are you taking away from working with these students?
A: What I am taking away from working with these students is that everyone learns differently, and as a teacher you must find out which way each student learns best. Each child is so unique and that is one of the things that I love about helping in the classroom. Not only is this a new experience for me, but it is for the students as well, and they are handling it in such a great way. They treat me with much respect, and I can tell that they love having me in their classroom. They are excited to learn from me and it makes my job so much easier.
Mercedez Hernandez
Q: Tell us about you and your time at Frenship as a whole.
A: I have been a Frenship Tiger since first grade. I talked to my counselor and explained that I want to become a teacher and she recommended the Ready, Set, Teach program. I am so glad this is the route I decided to take.
Q: What are you learning in the classroom?
A: I am getting to interact with the students and watch them learn and grow in their own ways. I love how each student has their own personality and enjoy watching them get more comfortable being around a new student teacher. My teacher is an amazing example of an effective teacher and I love how she gives instruction to the students step-by-step and works with them individually when needed.
Q: What are you taking away from working with the students?
A: What I have taken away in this experience so far is being able to see the inside of a real classroom, Monday through Thursday, for two hours. This experience is allowing me to see 4th graders learn at different learning paces, but also watch them be able to get the job done. I love walking into the classroom and my students immediately saying, “Good Morning” or “Hi.” Even something as small as a wave is so meaningful.
Frenship Middle School
Adilyn Love
Q: Tell us about you and your time at Frenship as a whole.
A: I have been a Frenship Tiger since second grade and am currently a senior at FHS. I heard about the Ready, Set, Teach program when I was junior while we were making our schedules for the next year.
Q: What are you learning in the classroom?
A: I love getting to know who my students are and to see them succeed, and how happy they are when they make good grades and when they finally understand whatever it is that they are being taught. I am also enjoying being placed with my teacher, she has helped me with knowing the reality of teaching and better understanding how classrooms are.
Q: What are you taking away from working with the students?
A: I am gaining much needed experience from this class. I am learning the best way to teach, classroom management, how to plan ahead, and how to be flexible with your schedule because not every day will go as planned. I am also building great relationships with the students that I currently work with. I also believe that the students are enjoying having us in their classrooms. They love having someone else to be able to help them out and someone else to talk to about anything. I think it’s amazing how we can be there to teach and how they are the ones teaching us.
Baylee Austin
Q: Tell us about you and your time at Frenship as a whole.
A: I was born and raised in Lubbock and have been at Frenship since I was in Kindergarten. Frenship has always felt like home and I could not imagine going anywhere else. I am involved in National Honor Society and the FHS choir program.
Q: What are you learning in the classroom?
A: To me the best part of the first six weeks was learning how important those teacher-student relationships are and how they effect and change the way a student learns and behaves in the classroom. There is definitely a difference between talking about the relationship building tactics and actually applying them. I thought the transition would be easier, but it was definitely different. I am honestly loving it though and I am learning more and more about teaching from my kids as I go.
Q: What are you taking away from working with the students?
A: I am taking away what it is like to truly be immersed in a classroom. I am gaining the understanding of how important it is to have a relationship with students, and that something as small as knowing their name can make them feel great. I hope that I can show them that they do not have to be perfect to be good students.
Kenli Muncy
Q: Tell us about you and your time at Frenship as a whole.
A: I started at Oak Ridge elementary in Kindergarten, went to Frenship Middle School and now I am a junior at FHS. I am part of the Color Guard and the Ready, Set, Teach program.
Q: What are you learning in the classroom?
A: The best part of the classroom is by far the students. The best part of my teacher is how organized and caring she is. She has a place for everything and always has a plan on what to do. She is amazing with her students. She has full control over her classroom but still has fun with each lesson she gives to her classes. The best thing about student interaction is being able to see their thought process while being able to help them understand what to do. This helps the students be more comfortable. The student interaction really helps show if this is something you want to pursue.
Q: What are you taking away from working with the students?
A: The biggest thing I am taking away from working with the students is a better understanding of what age group I want to teach. I think something my students are taking away from working with me is that it is never too early to start pursuing the career you want.
Lainey Cristan
Q: Tell us about you and your time at Frenship as a whole.
A: I have been a Frenship Tiger since Kindergarten. I went to Crestview Elementary, then moved onto Heritage Middle School and am now a senior at FHS. I am part of the Varsity girls golf team, an officer for FCCLA, and have committed to Loyola University in New Orleans to play golf.
Q: What are you learning in the classroom?
A: I have enjoyed hearing and learning about some of the history and knowing about the TEKS. The guest speakers have given us an inside look at their jobs and how they do things with their own tactics and practices. I expected the classroom to be easy and calm, but it is the opposite, in a good way. I like to talk to the students and know them at a personal but professional level as well. My teacher is awesome and relatable which is the person I want to be if I became a teacher. The students have great senses of humor and want to know more about me as a teacher.
Q: What are you taking away from working with the students?
A: I am taking away that my students are awesome and that they work well with each other even if they do not know each other as well. I think that they are taking away that teaching can start young and I am showing them that teaching is a great profession.
Alaina Golightly
Q: What are you learning in the classroom?
A: The way the classroom is set up is amazing! It is so diverse and can fit any kid’s needs! My teacher is PHENOMENAL! She is keyed into building relationships, knowing when to fight battles, and knowing when to let kids have a breather. She is helping the kids with their education, but most importantly, their life skills. Interacting with those students, they just melt your heart. I have already gotten to experience and see the progress of a couple students meet the goals we set for them.
Q: What are you taking away from working with the students?
A: I am definitely learning how to be more patient, and how to think more outside of the box. I am learning how to teach each student differently and learning new ways and ideas on how to communicate what I am trying to say so they can receive it. I hope that they take away the compassion I have for them. I am so passionate about being a Special Education teacher and being that advocate for them.