CMProfile

**Reciprocity: Compassionate Teaching & Learning in the Classroom**
By: Kara Blue

When you step into C.M.’s classroom, you feel instantly welcomed because the atmosphere depicts the character of the teacher and the personalities of her sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Featured throughout the room are bulletin boards covered vocabulary posters and autobiographical photo collages, as well as three-dimensional projects and models lined up on tables by the door. Particularly intriguing is M’s rubber duck collection sitting in a neat row; most of the ducks have been gifted to her by students. A teacher at a Catholic school in Wichita, M. teaches English, Literature, and Creative Writing to a variety of grades and students. Originally, M. didn’t intend to get into education, but she was drawn into the field by a need to make a difference. The ability to be creative in the classroom ignited the spark of passion that continues to be evident in her work with her students today. When asked what she enjoys most about her work, M. responded that she takes pleasure in “the enthusiasm of the students, the ability to start over each year, and that teaching and learning are reciprocal with students.” However, she enjoys paperwork, the grading load, and the requirement of work that doesn’t directly affect the class the least out of all of the facets of her job. M. has found that the best resources in her teaching career have always been the successful teachers that she has had the opportunity to work and collaborate with, as well as the ones she had the chance to observe during her student teaching preparation. She believes that it is important for teachers in the classroom to continue their professional development through staff meetings, peer sharing, workshops, courses, and continued observation. Thus, the key is to never stop learning. M. is a fount of advice for people entering the profession. One of the best tips that she offered was that we must know what we are talking about in the classroom, plan our lessons out to the minute, but also be able to adapt to a changing learning situation with a Plan B. She also cautions that it is integral to be consistent in expectations, reaction, and treatment. Young adolescents “find a comfort level in knowing what to expect from you and your class,” noting that “structure is great!” As a final note, M. wants people to understand that “Teaching is a profession, one in which you should be proud. You should present and represent it that way in dress and action.” A teacher of class and style, C.M. is an exemplary model of what teaches and preaches.