Member Stories

Liza Templin, Member 2004–2005

I have always loved working with children. However, I never thought that I would want to be a teacher—it was just not in my plans. My first time through school was for engineering, so teaching was not even considered. This year with ACEE has changed that. The thrill I get every day when one of my kids finally catches on to something they've struggled with is just amazing. Sometimes it seems that I am more excited than my kids about their achievements. For instance, last fall one of my first-graders hated coming to school, as he did not understand the work. He would draw a random compilation of letters and symbols, and then claim that they were words. Well, after much work, he finally started to catch on. I remember the day he wrote his first sentence—we were both absolutely ecstatic! Now he is actually able to sound out words both in reading and in writing. It is wonderful to see the change from a boy who hated school to one who now loves to come to school and is learning so much.

In another case, one of my kindergarten children had just moved here from Mexico and did not have any previous schooling. His teacher was very concerned, so placed him with me to ensure he had plenty of extra support in learning to read and write. Initially, putting sounds together into syllables and words was very confusing for him. He just could not see the connection from the sounds he knew to these words. But one day, he suddenly seemed to catch on. I asked him what had changed, and he said he and his dad had created a "syllable wheel" like he used in class and with me. By practicing it at home, it finally started to click with him. That seemed to turn him around, and he then became excited every time we got to work together. He was so eager to read and write new books with me. By the end of the first semester, he had progressed to one of the best readers in her class. The teacher has now transferred him out as there are other students needing help. For me, this brings a mixture of emotions. I love that he is doing so well that he does not need my help. But at the same time, I grow so attached to my kids that I really miss working with him. But that is really what this job is about: to get them to the point where they don't need our help anymore.

This position with ACEE working with such underprivileged children has led me to become a teacher. My teachers are giving me opportunities to lead some classes, and I've loved it. I admit—it has been very challenging. I joined as a bilingual tutor who has not had a Spanish class in many years. But the kids are patient with me, even when my Spanish is not great. And the joy of working with these children is simply overwhelming. It has just been such a blessing for me to have a part in their learning process and to see them grow. And I look forward to the future of teaching underprivileged children, as they are the ones who need the help and care most desperately.

Overall, ACEE has just been an amazing opportunity for me to see the need out there and have a part in making changes for the better. This year/opportunity has truly changed my life.