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Teacher Tuesday Spotlight: Ellen Achey, Children’s Home of Reading

by Rose Kershner, BCTV Intern, Montclair State University

Jun 02, 2020

Ellen Achey uses real world connections and fun facts to keep students engaged while teaching English concepts at Centre Avenue Academy.

Can you describe your position?

“I teach at the Children’s Home of Reading’s (CHOR) Centre Avenue Academy. Children’s Home of Reading has two private licensed academic schools. One school, CHOR Day Academy, serves students from surrounding community school districts in grades 1-12. They also serve the girls in our residential program. Centre Avenue Academy, serves our male residential students who range from 6th to 12th grade. Both of our schools have teams of state-certified teachers who are dedicated to helping students make progress no matter what level they are at.

I am dual certified as an English teacher (7-12), and as a Reading Specialist (K-12). I currently teach all boys in grades 6-12. In addition to teaching, I help make sure that assessments are completed so that we are able to track progress for our students, set realistic goals for them, and make sure that they’re getting work that is at their level. Our school isn’t too big, so I also help organize projects, like interactive summer programs, updating our library, and any other idea that pops into my head. I’m fortunate to work with awesome people who have a like-minded approach to supporting our students (and don’t say no when I come to them with another new idea!)

Bungee chairs and wobble stools have increased engagement and productivity in the classroom

When I’m teaching, I love to introduce my students to things they haven’t seen before and show them the connections between English and their world. For example, when preparing students for Shakespeare, I might show them the similarities between hip-hop and Shakespeare, or tell them that the bird in Aladdin, Iago, is named after a Shakespeare character. Establishing these connections helps to build their understanding, and often increases their interest. My goal is always to help them make sense of what they’re working with (literature, poetry, writing), and make connections with it so that they see the real-world relevance. I regularly tell my students that I don’t expect that they will be writing essays, or reading novels all the time after they finish school, but that the skills they learn from doing these things will be important in life. All students should develop skills in critical thinking, sorting fact and opinion, and learning how to find information when they need it, but that information has to be given in a way that makes sense to them.”

What is your favorite thing about teaching?

“My favorite thing about teaching is honestly my students! I know, such a cliché for a teacher, but it really is true! Even when I’ve heard “Miss Achey” for the twentieth time in a minute (which happens about 30 times a day), I genuinely enjoy getting to see them. I believe that having a good rapport with my students is important, and that includes being able to talk with them about music, movies, and other things going on in their lives, in addition to teaching English. I also enjoy hearing their stories and I’m constantly surprised at just how much they have to tell me…even when I just saw them the day before. I especially love seeing their progress and that “ah-ha” moment when they understand a concept that they didn’t think they were capable of comprehending. In addition to the students themselves, my other favorite thing about teaching is probably developing new content and opportunities for my students. I try to look at options that will benefit the kids the most. A big example of this is the year my classroom switched to flexible seating! Instead of desks in nice straight rows, I have bungee chairs, wobble stools, game chairs, and a whole bunch of other things that students can use. It has actually helped improve the overall behavior in my classroom, increased work productivity, and helps encourage students to maintain self-control.”

How has the transition to online learning gone?

“The transition to virtual instruction has been interesting. It has come with its own set of challenges to navigate, but I think that as a team we have done a great job making it happen. I know that I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing without that teamwork. We actually purchased Chromebooks earlier in the year for student use, so we were able to have a device available for all of our students. We’ve been using a combination of a pre-created program, and our own supplemental work to help keep everything as streamlined as possible. We’ve also provided paper copies of work where necessary. I think the biggest challenges have come from not being able to sit down in person with students and work out what’s going on. To help combat this, we’ve been using a combination of Google Hangout and Meet to make sure that we can stay connected with our kids. My focus really has been on reassuring the kids and trying to help them stay successful and productive with the work they do have. I’ve been working on trying to help them understand how to manage their time and maintain a positive mindset.

I’m actually currently preparing an interactive, virtual summer program for the kids at Centre Avenue. This is the first year we’ve done the summer program virtually, so I’m anxious to see how it goes! Ironically, I think the switch to virtual instruction has helped me start to work out what I will need to do when we return to the classroom. I’m often thinking ahead to the next school year and this year that has become even more important! I believe there are things that I can do to help prepare the kids in case something like this becomes necessary again. Additionally, it’s given me a different perspective on how I might need to set up my lessons and my classroom to make sure that all students will benefit as much as possible. Reflection is always crucial to my own teaching practice, so I’m trying to use this as a reflective experience.”

Ellen Achey helps update the library and organize interactive summer programs

What are you looking forward to when we return to classrooms?

“I am most excited to be able to see my students in person, and just to be in my classroom. It is one of the places that I feel most comfortable and at home, so I’m looking forward to being back. I’m also excited about the prospect of being able to provide more support for my students and to make plans for how the new school year will look.”

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