WHY I TEACH Oxford City School System Teacher Spotlight — Karen Reeder
WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHAT WITH KAREN REEDER, ONE OF THE FIRST RECIPIENTS OF THE “EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH” RECOGNITION AWARDED TO STANDOUT OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS EMPLOYEES BY THE OXFORD CITY SCHOOLS EDUCATION FOUNDATION. MRS. REEDER IS A 1984 OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE AND STILL RESIDES IN THE CITY OF OXFORD WITH HER HUSBAND, DENNIS, AND THEIR TWO CHILDREN, MADISON AND GRANT. MRS. REEDER TEACHES FIRST GRADE AND IS IN HER 29TH YEAR OF TEACHING IN THE OXFORD CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM. WE ASKED HER SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT HER TEACHING CAREER, AND WHY SHE LOVES TO TEACH. What made you want to become a teacher? Oxford is my hometown, and the children here will one day become my banker, my nurse, my mechanic, or even leaders in our community. I want to impact Oxford one child at a time by equipping them with a firm foundation in reading and math to help them become successful and productive citizens of our community.
What is the most satisfying thing about teaching first grade? I enjoy seeing that “Ah Ha!” moment when a child realizes they understand and can apply what you’ve taught them. I can see the impact that we, as educators, have by watching not only the students rate of improvements throughout the year, but they’re growing in becoming a productive part of a school community.
When you were in high school did you know you wanted to become a teacher? I knew I loved working with students and children. I started babysitting when I was 12 years old, and I would babysit tiny babies; I was surprised that parents would even let me babysit at that age; you know, newborns. But I guess they were used to seeing me at First Baptist Church of Oxford.
Have you taught other grades? I taught sixth grade my first year. Due to the lack of students moving to sixth grade the next year, I was moved to first grade. I knew after that first year in first grade that this was where I wanted to be.
“I WANT EVERY CHILD TO BE SUCCESSFUL.” 72
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What do you look forward to most at the beginning of each year? It’s fun preparing the classroom with small details such as nameplates on each desk and thinking about how I’ll be able to impact that child in the best possible way. It’s exciting to see the smiles on the faces of the new students you’re about to teach.