Working a dream job
Wednesday, January 24, 2007 10:33 AM PST
Jennifer Colton
Argus Observer
Vale
Angie Arriola never expected to end up teaching in a split-grade classroom in a one-building schoolhouse.
For eight years, though, Arriola has taught combined third- and fourth-grade at the Vale School District’s Willowcreek Elementary School and said she can’t imagine teaching anywhere else.
“It was a challenge at first, teaching two grades, but now I love it,” Arriola said Tuesday. “I have one group that always stays with me.”
Arriola said she grew up in Vale, graduating from Vale High School before attending Eastern Oregon University.
“I thought I would be gone, teach somewhere else, maybe in Montana,” Arriola said. “But while at Eastern I met my future husband, we got married after I graduated, so I live about six miles up the road, and Willowcreek was the ideal place to teach.”
Arriola earned a Master of Education degree, concentrating in secondary education and physical education and health.
“I originally thought I was going to teach high school,” Arriola said. “I tried student teaching high school, but I felt I was too young at the time.”
Arriola then returned to EOU to complete her elementary K-8 certification. Then she completed a stint as a student teacher at Willowcreek.
“My student teaching was in this very classroom, and she (the teacher) left and I got the class I student taught in,” Arriola said. “I found my calling. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. I just wasn’t sure what area. I love the small school. Being out here is more like a family.”
Willowcreek Elementary School has less than 100 students, with an average class size of 22. The largest class she taught was 28, Arriola said. This year her class has 16 students, half of which she will have again next year.
“There’s no threatening, no worry. They can be themselves and enjoy school, enjoy learning. If you have kids two years in a row, you have to build a rapport with them,” she said. “I love life, I have a good sense of humor and I want my students to do their very best.”
She said her favorite part of teaching is the look on a student’s face when he or she first grasps a concept.
“You’re the one who gets to inspire an idea and watch it grow. I love that,” she said. “My least favorite part of being a teacher would have to be dealing with certain discipline issues that the kids really shouldn’t have to deal with — things they get from home or other places, not the school.”
The most challenging aspect to her classroom is handling students’ different abilities, testing requirements and reading levels.
“In any grade you can have students reading two grades lower or two grades above. With two grades in one classroom, that range is even greater,” she said. “I’m teaching reading from beginning readers to kids who can read at the eighth-grade level.”
Three weeks ago, Arriola began using a “Phone Ear” system in her class — a headset microphone and broadcast speaker.
“It makes me come through a lot clearer. All of the kids like it,” Arriola said.
The system was suggested by a parent to help Arriola communicate with hearing impaired and Attention Deficit Disorder students.
“I’ve already noticed a change,” Arriola said. “When I’m talking with it, they pay attention. To look at the classroom, you wouldn’t ever know there were two grades.”
Although she may try teaching high school or in another district eventually, for now Arriola said she will stay with Willowcreek.
“Originally, I pictured myself in a one-grade classroom somewhere,” she said. “But things happen for a reason, and I’m glad I’m here.”
