Sixth grade special education teacher Emily Eakins has been teaching for over 30 years! She is a great asset to the school’s learning support program.
She helps a lot of kids everyday get better at math!
“If someone would have told me the year I graduated from high school (1989) that I would be teaching 35 years later, I never would have believed them! I actually went to Penn State University to study Aerospace Engineering. It wasn’t until the end of my freshman year that I realized I would be much happier as a special education teacher,” said Eakins.
Eakins said she used to joke about the three reasons she became a teacher: June, July and August!
“I do love my summers, but my family will tell you that I am happier when I am teaching! When persevering, I always try to look for the positives. I make the best of every situation, and I learn from my mistakes,” Eakins said.
Eakins said school nowadays is very different from what it was like 30 years ago!
“So many things in education have changed, and as a teacher, I have changed as well! Teachers have to be able to adapt year-to-year, month-to-month and even day-to-day in order to make it! I admire the new teachers just starting out because I was once like them,” said Eakins.
Every teacher has unique qualities to bring to their classroom she believes, and her advice is to be yourself said Eakins.
“Be yourself! The rest will come from experience and lots of preparation! Before you know it, the years will fly by, but you will remember the students you have taught and the world will be a better place because of it!” Eakins said.
When you are new to something, you might make mistakes. Learning from them and getting advice on how to do better is key.
