最近, one of Concordia's own was recognized by the second largest school district in the nation--Los Angeles Unified School District--for her achievements as a teacher at an elementary school in the Watts section of Los Angeles. A graduate of the School of Education's Master's program at 欧文康考迪亚大学, Natalie 艾略特 of Huntington Beach knew since third grade that she wanted to be a teacher. This marks the second time for Concordia's School of Education to have an alumni recognized for their innovative teaching style. In 2008, Orange County middle school teacher 格雷格•麦克福 was named California Teacher of the Year by the California Department of Education.
Reprinted from the Daily Pilot
每个星期, Huntington Beach resident Natalie 艾略特 spends 10 to 12 hours driving to teach sixth-graders at 92nd Street Elementary School in Watts.
Her colleagues believe she probably could have gotten a teaching job in Orange County. 但是这位33岁的老师, who first taught in 109th Street Elementary School, 也是在瓦茨, has worked in the south Los Angeles neighborhood for 11 years now.
"She's special," 92nd Street's assistant principal, Austin Garcia, said. "She builds that trust with students and goes beyond the call of a normal teacher. That says a lot about how she's been dedicated to Watts."
Watts schools often experience high teacher turnover, according to Garcia.
艾略特's commitment to its students over the years made her deserving of a Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year recognition in September.
艾略特 was one of 16 county teachers honored with the title and chosen to compete for the state designation, the 2017 California Teacher of the Year.
Although 艾略特 was not selected for the state title earlier this month, her mission as a teacher remains unchanged.
My mom always said education is one of most powerful tools you'll ever have," 艾略特 said. "If I could teach kids in inner cities to become successful in academics and to give back, 那我就能做好我的工作了.
While the elementary school teacher was raised in Huntington Beach, she had a connection with Los Angeles County, having grown up with parents who worked there as public defenders.
She said her parents always encouraged her to help those less fortunate, which led her to take hold of different volunteer opportunities like coaching cheer at Edison High School in Huntington Beach and becoming a leader for UCLA UniCamp, a program that exposes urban children to the peaceful outdoors.
"I always watched, respected and admired her," 艾略特's older brother, Michael, said. "Even when she was a little kid, she said she wanted to be a teacher. It might not seem typical for the older person to learn from the younger person but, 在现实中, we learn from the younger generation often."
艾略特 said her time spent with inner-city children at UniCamp led her to pursue a teaching job in Watts.
But her first year teaching the second grade at 109th Street Elementary School was imperfect.
She had a few challenging students, including boys who would scream, start arguments and distract others.
She brought the class together by doing community-building exercises, which taught them how to give compliments to each other and work as a team through dance, 音乐和艺术活动.
"Our kids come to us with their own stories every day," Garcia said. "Like, they didn't have dinner last night or their uncle died in a drive-by last night. As a teacher, you have to be prepared for that and be culturally sensitive."
I'm very eager to create change at a higher level," 艾略特 said. "My passion will always be working with children in poverty.
艾略特, a Fountain Valley High School graduate, studied at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa for two years before transferring to UCLA, where she first earned a bachelor's in history and Chicano studies and later her teaching credentials.
She's also earned a master's in educational leadership from Concordia University in Irvine in hopes of stepping into more of an administrative role in schools someday.
"I'm very eager to create change at a higher level," 艾略特 said. "My passion will always be working with children in poverty."