Getting to Know You: Salina King
Salina King —2016 Elementary Education Graduate Q&A
Salina King is a recent graduate of the College of Education. You could say she’s doing a victory lap as she is using this Fall 2016 semester to finish her program and receive her teaching certification by participating as a 4th grade student teacher in Colfax.
What got you into teaching?
Most of my family members are teachers–my aunts, my grandma and my mom. I was undecided in high school and fell in love with it my senior year when I did my senior project at Jefferson. The kids were great and the teachers were great. Just being in that environment and having the love that those kids can give you is great.
What did you do for that senior project?
I wanted to get an introduction into the idea of teaching. What I did was plan a lesson and spent a lot of time getting to know the kids, their day to day routines, their struggles, how the teacher handles those things, and figuring out of what it’s like being in a classroom of 25-30 small kids. I was kind of the visitor that didn’t leave!
What are some of the challenges you are facing on a day-to-day basis?
I am really struggling with the rough play that the kids are doing. They get violent sometimes. It’s not that they want to be malicious to mean. They don’t understand how a small tap can go from playful to mean. Having to explain that sassing and being rude is very tough for me. Finding this balance with the kids is touchy because I am still a student teacher.
How do you stay creative within your teaching style?
I try and bring in some of the kid’s personal lives. I have a lot of kids that really into reading, drawing and sports. I like to talk about my personal experiences and incorporate it into a lesson. I really like my teacher’s style because she has a very casual style where it is more conversational. By not using academic language all the time it really gets the wheels turning.
What is your favorite thing about being a student teacher?
Making connections with the kid’s and feeling like I am a part of their world. Last week is was my birthday and they got me candy, made me signs and posters and made me feel so connected with them. Being able to be goofy with the kids and have with laugh with you and not at you makes all the difference for me.
After student teaching what do you plan to do?
If I could have my dream it would be to teach fourth grade students!
Do you want to stay in Coalfax or Pullman?
I am fighting with that battle right now because I have friends on the west side and I would love to try something new but we will see. Where the wind will take me is where I will go so we will see what happens!
Favorites
Food: Sushi and Italian
Movie: Totally depends on my mood! Zootopia is one of my favorites.
Book: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K Rowling
Song: Right now I really like Heathens by 21 Pilots from the movie Suicide Squad