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Making a difference
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| Editor’s note: This is a brief look at a few IU South Bend
graduates who are teachers. They are in different phases of
their careers—from just entering the field to those who have
been at the chalkboard for years. They all have an enthusiasm
for the job and a desire to make an impact. |
McKiel |
Carol McKiel
Teaching is Carol McKiel’s third career. First, there were computers
and then there was motherhood. Next she was a substitute teacher
before signing on to work in an international school in China.
“That was the turning point," she said. “I was excited
about the prospect of teaching."
McKiel completed her degree at IU South Bend, and at age
45, she has been teaching second grade in the Elkhart school
system for two years.
“The first time I walked into the classroom I was scared
to death," McKiel said. “It is a complex job, a remarkable
job. If I had started when I was 24, I would be a master teacher
by now, but I brought a lot of life experience with me—I’ve
been the parent on the other side of the teacher’s conference.
You can’t pick a better or a harder job. You don’t pick this
job to have the summers off."
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Russel |
Chris Russell
Chris Russell graduated in the spring of 2001 from IU South
Bend and plans to teach social studies and history to middle
school children. But he’s taking this year off to read and study
in order to become a better teacher. “I want to be as good as
I can be. I want to be good for them," he said.
“Investing in people" is the phrase Russell uses. “I
find that investing in kids is a calling. Education is a way
to make a difference. I want to be like Mr. Keating of the
movie ‘The Dead Poets Society.’ I want to have that much impact."
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Kaser |
Kara Kaser
First-year teacher Kara Kaser loves her work as a
special education teacher at LaSalle High School. And no matter
what anyone says, she’s still going to try to save every student.
Kaser teaches students with learning and emotional disabilities.
“They are all very normal kids. Some students have reading
disabilities and others have math disabilities. They don’t
understand a concept like X equals three in algebra. You have
to manipulate it so they do understand the concept,"
she said.
Her philosophy of education is to speak to the students
as adults. “I know from their perspective—education is not
a priority. My job is to make it a priority and put it on
their level. It is a matter of mutual respect in with a relaxed
environment."
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Cox
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David Cox
David Cox spends his summers at Plymouth High School
teaching first graders how to play basketball, and he loves
it. He has been teaching for 14 years after earning his teaching
certification from IU South Bend. After graduating from Purdue
in 1974 with a degree in animal sciences, Cox farmed until 1985
when a farm accident and a weakened economy sent him back to
school for his certification in 1987 and a master’s degree in
1994.
He teaches biology, environmental sciences and genetics
at Plymouth High School, along with being the girls’ basketball
coach. To him, teaching is a mission.
“Teaching is its own reward," said Cox. “Money should
not be an issue. Three months off in the summer should not
be your focus. Teachers want to make a difference in young
people’s lives."
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Wilson |
Myrtle Wilson
Myrtle Wilson dearly loved teaching music to children,
because for her “there is no substitute for a child," but
she wanted to broaden her range of influence. So, she became
a school administrator, a position from which she can help teachers,
parents and children. Today, Wilson is deputy superintendent
of administrative services at the South Bend Community School
Corporation.
She said the idea to teach evolved naturally, “when I realized
that I had a talent for music and a passion to be with children.
Music could influence children."
Wilson graduated with a degree from Iowa State and after
moving to South Bend, earned her master’s degree in special
education from IUSB. She taught in special education in South
Bend for eight years and conducted educational assessment
testing. Wilson later earned degrees from IU Bloomington before
moving into administration.
For her, education was a wonderful choice. “You have to
be committed beyond yourself to teach."
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