Bethany

Certified Tutor

So why do I teach? I teach for

The Light Bulb Moments

As an educator of students with neurological and learning differences, I have the opportunity to work with a population of students that many others before me have given up on. Many of them reach me defeated with low self-esteem academically. Being a part of their "light bulb" moments is like no other experience. When I have explained a concept frontwards, backwards, up and down and presented it visually, verbally and kinesthetically and the student has that one moment when it all makes sense; there is truly no greater joy and all of the work put in was worth it. These moments can be challenging to arrive to, and take a lot of relationship and trust building. I always try to look for the good in my students, but when I look for the best in them, I am amazed at how much talent, ingenuity, empathy and good I find in the students others have labeled as a lost cause. They rise above my expectations and become young scholars eager to learn.

The Happiness, Humor and Laughs

Being a teacher not only means having a crowd forced to find humor in my cheesy jokes, but also provides endless entertainment with what students come up with. While teaching a small group math lesson to a group of 7th grade students the period before lunch, one of my students with a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome stated "Ms. Younkers I am so hungry, my stomach hurts me worse than Justin Bieber's new single." Not only was this a hilarious moment for me, but I was ecstatic to explain to this student who was quite literal and very serious he had just told a great joke! The things kids come up with is endlessly entertaining, when I focus on the happiness and humor that is what I get in the classroom.

The Moments of Frustration That Lead to Moments of Success

I teach for the moments of frustration for students because most often after those moments is a point of turn around and times of success follow shortly. However, I am grateful for the challenges because they make the celebrations of success that much sweeter. I have seen this often with my high school students, who I suggest should just listen to recordings of my voice reminding them to write down their homework, study for tests, make notecards, advocate for themselves, etc. I had a student who after getting through the year, painfully listening to my constant reminders, brought me his college acceptance letter from Albright University with a huge smile on his face. It was his top choice. It is lots of little moments and things every day that add up to a bigger picture. I wouldn't trade all of the challenges teaching brings, for they lead to the countless unpredictable glimmers of love, hope and success I have been lucky enough to be a part of in so many of my student's stories.

The Creativity

Being a teacher allows for endless creative opportunities; last year in an attempt to bring a real world connection into my transitions classroom, I had students work on resumes and then participate in a day of mock interviews utilizing members of our school's board. The students and adults all loved it. There are no limits. I get to be creative while challenging and shaping minds with new opportunities and experiences.

The Lifelong Learning

My students have taught me more in the past few years than I may have ever been able to teach myself or them. Receiving is the natural result of giving, I believe. The students I have worked with display the highest level of resilience; despite all they have faced within their young lives, they have taught me to not lose the fight in pushing myself to be and do better. There is constant reflection, teachable moments, and knowledgeable co-workers in the field of education that allow for endless learning. I have this amazing power and responsibility to add value to students' lives and help them be better humans, as they navigate growing-up. In return, they do the same for me.

The Extended Family

When working with other like-minded individuals, work often becomes an extension of home and co-teachers, administration, students and parents become extended family. Working with special education students affords the opportunity for close relationships to build with families. I love teaching because those I see and work with every day become my tribe.