A normal school teacher at Kolling Elementary has classes from 8:10 A.M.- 2:40 P.M., but teaching third graders all day just wasn’t enough for teacher, Mrs. Kristen Hankins, Kolling Elementary. So, Hankins decided to seek a new way to help fill her school-loving heart, by teaching sixth grade Science during Clark Middle School’s last period class.
“I absolutely love teaching and learning. I am always open to learning and doing something new, especially if I think I will learn from it. Science is a super fun subject to teach, and as long as it worked for my family, I was quite eager to take the position,” Hankins said.
Teaching styles and techniques vary vastly between teaching middle school and elementary school, so it is expected that nearly everything is different, whether it be class sizes, the material, the students, or even the teachers.
“I really like the new learning experience and teaching something different. The Clark science team and office are also really great to work with. I don’t know what I would do without the fabulous teachers that jump right in to support me. They make teaching the extra class seamless. I really love being able to see my former students,” Hankins said.
Although the grades are largely different, one thing that stays unwavering is the teacher’s favorite parts of teaching.
“Oh goodness, I am bad at favorites because I simply enjoy too much! I love the first day of school meeting my new kiddos and seeing their sweet faces. I love the fun exploratory moments of learning that you don’t plan as a teacher, but you embrace and they turn out awesome. I love working with such amazing educators and learning a ton from the marvelous things they know. I love seeing my former students and what amazing people that they have become. I simply love learning with my students, and seeing them grow, develop and discover new things,” Hankins said.