45: Bonus Edition- Interview with Katie Helms

Katie is a second year elementary ESL [English as a Second Language] teacher. She currently works in Charlotte, NC but is originally from Illinois. Due to student allotment numbers tied to funding and student need, Katie has moved schools each year she has taught and has already been told she will be relocated in the district to help a different school with an expanding ESL population next year- that equals 3 schools in 3 years. She loves teaching ESL and making relationships with her students for years to come!

Quotables

• Each child is different and unique and learns at their own pace
• It’s a marathon, not a sprint
• They are children, not adults
• Relate to the kids and build relationships- building a classroom culture is huge
• I celebrate mistakes
• Practice makes perfect
• I can’t control what [other teachers] do, but I can control what happens in my classroom
• No Chalk Talk policy with friends
• Listen to your gut
• It goes back to the kids… we are paid in hugs!

Katie’s Stamp of Approval

• Teach Like A Champion– Positive Framing and No Opt Out
• The New Teacher Project [TNTP] Teaching Fellows Programs- Katie calls this “teacher bootcamp”
• Linked-In Groups
• WIDA

Connect with Katie

• Email: katieshelms@gmail.com