Erin Baehler
With three years at Cordell Schools, fifth and sixth grade science teacher Erin Baehler has grown close with her students as time passes, saying that some of her previous students even stop by her classroom still to check in.
Whether it’s making sure her weekly labs are enjoyable for her students, participating in incentive programs to excite students, or just being able to have fun moments with her class, Baehler makes it clear why she was chosen for this week’s Cordell Blue Devil Faculty Spotlight.
Having started her teaching career in Nebraska, Baehler taught seventh through twelfth grade students before moving to South Dakota and teaching sixth through eighth. It was there that she realized that teaching middle school students was what was right for her.
We got the chance to sit down with Baehler as she discussed her time at Cordell Schools and what some of her favorite things have been throughout her time here.
We're about two months into the school year. How has it been so far?
It's been good overall. Kids are kind of in and out with people testing positive for COVID or family members testing positive. So that makes it slightly difficult for both us and for the kids, but I think everyone's just kind of doing their best to keep up morale, get their work done, and just kind of making the best of the situation. Like yesterday what we started doing was we had a day where the kids could bring a dollar and they could get a popsicle. Our kids were really excited about that even all the way up to sixth grade, sometimes the sixth graders are kind of not as into things, but even the sixth graders were really excited about giving their dollar, getting their popsicle. So I think we're going to look at doing more things like that, where kids can bring a dollar and buy into something. Maybe like near winter break, have a hot chocolate or something, you know?.
Kind of looking back, compared to this time last year, with having a deal in the midst of the pandemic and everything, how has the start of this year been? Is it easier? Is it kind of what you expected? Harder?
I think this year feels harder, and I think it's just because we've been doing this, the pandemic thing, for so long now you know? I think everybody everywhere had kind of been hoping that we'd kind of be done with it at this point, and we just aren’t so it just makes it more difficult.
Looking ahead, is there anything you’re kinda looking forward to this school year that you might have planned?
I don't know like big picture wise if there’s anything I have in mind, but when we get back, we're gonna be doing a daily lab over heat transfer with the sixth graders. I'm hoping that goes well and I'm hoping that they really enjoy it. So I think more on a week to week basis, I’m hoping that those activities go well. I'm hoping that the kids both learn something and enjoy them.
What is it, in general, that kind of got you to want to become a teacher in the first place?
My mom was a teacher, and so I was exposed to what it looks like to be a teacher growing up. Then after, I graduated college with a degree in biology and chemistry, and I went to graduate school for chemistry and the program I was in required you to teach labs to college kids. That was the part of the program that I really bought into and enjoyed. That was kind of the point in my life where I was like, “Okay, I think teaching is really what I want to pursue.”
How did you end up teaching elementary students, because teaching elementary, I imagine that’s very different from what you started off with with college kids?
I had to take a few years to get certified and after I got certified, my first job was at a school where it was K through 12 all in one building, it was a very small district and I was the only science teacher. I taught seventh through twelfth, so I taught everything. Then after that I ended up just teaching sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. That’s when I kind of really realized middle school was kind of the age group for me. So when we were moving down here, I looked for jobs that targeted sixth grade, because that's what I had really been teaching and Cordell had the opening for fifth and sixth grade… With science, I wanted to be a veterinarian and so that's why I majored in science in college.
Looking back at all of your time and teaching, has there been a favorite part of your job in general?
I think it's just been different aspects of it, because every place is a little different. The people are a little bit different in each place. The schools are a little bit different in how they're structured, and so there are some things that are, I hate to say bad, but good and bad about each. You know what I mean? There are some things that you'd want to pick out and keep and some things that you’d maybe not keep.
Looking more specifically at Cordell, have there been any notable moments during your time here or anything you particularly enjoy the most?
I enjoy when students that I've had in the past come back from the junior high and high school to say hello. I really appreciate seeing how those kids are doing. I appreciate seeing them. I also enjoy being able to joke around and having fun moments with my kids. Not taking things too seriously.
Obviously you don't teach all the time. So when you're not teaching, how do you like to spend your time?
I like to spend my time with my family. I have two young kids, and so I like to try to spend time with them.