As a young student, Bekah Tucker attended South Central Elementary School. Like many children of Union Mills, she continued within the South Central Community School Corporation until she graduated high school.
But after graduating from Purdue University in 2013, Tucker found herself back at South Central Elementary. She participated in a cadet teaching program, and she also watched her aunt teach first graders at an elementary school in Culver, Ind. Both experiences influenced Tucker to teach first grade students at her very own elementary school.
“Being in the classroom really inspired me to pursue my teaching career,” she said.
Although this is the first school year for Tucker at South Central Elementary School, it’s her second year teaching. So far, Tucker’s days in her classroom involve “a lot of multitasking” as she extends a helping hand to each of her students.
Tucker’s students return the favor, though. With a copious amount of hugs, Tucker is able to keep pushing forward and providing the best education for them.
“When they come up and hug me, I always say ‘I think I needed that hug just as much as you needed that hug,’” she said.
The children’s outpouring affection is just one of her perks on the job. Another you may ask? Getting to teach eager children all about her passion.
“My passion is teaching reading,” Tucker said. “It’s my favorite part of the day.”
According to Tucker, first grade is one of the most important years for students to develop reading comprehension. By sitting down and reading each morning with her students, Tucker is able to build her students.
“I teach the foundational skills, so that’s why it’s my favorite to teach,” she said.
It can be a challenge for Tucker to turn each lesson into something creative. While trying to entertain her students and fulfill state objectives, it’s been an obstacle to choose what’s best for her students.
“Those are the most difficult obstacles because sometimes the things that we have to teach or are being told to teach are not necessarily developmentally appropriate for the kids,” she said.
No matter what, Tucker makes sure concepts are broken down for her students to understand. Watching her kids grasp a certain lesson is always the best part.
“It makes such a great difference in my day,” she said.
Throughout her life, Tucker has learned one of her most valuable lessons: choosing to be happy.
“Even if life sometimes throws you curveballs and reasons to not be happy, you have to learn to choose to be happy and move forward,” she said.
Tucker is able to find her happiness in her classroom as well as her home. She enjoys spending time with her family since there is never a dull moment.
“My daughters keep me really busy,” she said. “There’s never really any downtime.”
Getting active is a favorite hobby of Tucker’s. She uses it as a way to stay healthy, physically and mentally.
“I like to run, I go to OrangeTheory too,” she said. “It’s my mental escape.”
Tucker also finds happiness in giving back to the community. Around this time of year, she is very excited to participate in the Deserving Children Charity, which raises money to spend on presents for children during the holidays.
“We get to go to stores and shop for them,” she said. “It’s really rewarding for me.”
This will be Tucker’s seventh year giving back during the holiday season.