Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Howell.
Katie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I could remember. My parents were both incredible and gifted teachers, but it was my second-grade teacher Mrs. Moncey that sealed teaching for me. I rushed through college just because I wanted to start teaching right away. I heard first grade was a challenging year to teach, so I wanted to student teach it and loved it so much that I accepted a job in first grade after college.
When I started teaching, I wanted a classroom that the kids could feel supported and challenged at the same time. I had so many ideas of how I would achieve this and tried many different methods through the years. At the time, there weren’t many people doing learning centers, but I knew that it was how I wanted to teach so it is what I did. Through the years, I continued to grow as a teacher by researching best practice. I would attend workshops and then modify it to make it work for my kids and first grade.
My students always had an option to stand or sit when they worked, but I found that they needed more. Several years ago, I started making my dream classroom come true. I wanted a classroom with tables, seats, and space for the kids be in charge of their learning. I had support from my husband and administration, I ran with it! I found everything in my flexible seating classroom in thrift stores or as cheap as possible. My kids thrived using flexible seating and flexible learning! I can’t imagine ever going back to a traditional classroom setting!
When you walk into my classroom, you will see my students actively engaged in their learning. They participate in learning centers and small group learning so that I can differentiate their instruction. I LOVE teaching and my ability to reach each one of my kids so that they can meet their true potential! It is such a gift to go to work every day and teach!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I was very fortunate to have been teaching first grade at Woodland for 17 years. First grade is my passion! It has not always been a smooth road though. Seven years ago, I was in a bad car accident when I was pregnant with my son on the first day of school. Fortunately, my son was born with only a few delays that he has made up. Everything in my life changed that day! I injured my back but had to continue to work because I carried the insurance. I was in constant pain and it was truly by the grace of God that I even made it through the day. My school district, parents, and co-workers were incredible! They helped in any way they could to support me during that time. During the next few years, I had a spinal fusion, countless therapies, and still taught full time. This time in life made me such a better teacher and mom because I had to focus all my energy on the most important aspects of my day.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the First Grade Teacher- Woodland Elementary East story. Tell us more about the business.
I teach in Gurnee in an enormous district. We have 26 sections of first grade in our building and services a wide range of students. My classroom has seven different languages spoken in it. I call my classroom a flexible learning classroom. My six and seven-year-old students are truly in charge of their own learning. I do not have a traditional classroom, but a room that students can choose where and whom they work with. I teach a lesson in a small group instead of one large group because I believe that it meets the student’s needs better. Although I teach regular education, I typically teach a large number of students with sensory and learning needs, as well as ADHD. I am very proud that ALL of my students show tremendous growth each year because of the individualized instruction they receive and how hard they work! We have a growth mindset in our classroom and my students truly believe in the power of the word yet!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe luck has played a role in my life. I believe my life, all the good and the bad, is all part of God’s plan for me! Although I don’t understand that plan at times when I trust in God’s support, it has made my life better in the long run! Even the years that my school district has tried to lighten the needs in my class prior to school starting, students with significant needs have been randomly placed in my classroom. I know my gift from God is to teach, support, and encourage children and I hope that is what I do daily!
Contact Info:
- Website: I am currently creating a website called flexibleinfirstgrade.com (coming this summer)
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