Ashlyn Cramer, BSEd ’15
DeLay Middle School, Lewisville ISD, Eighth-Grade English, Language Arts, Reading
When I walked across the stage in the Ferrell Center and accepted my diploma from Baylor University, I thought I would never be as excited as I was in that moment — but I was proven wrong. On August 24, 2015, about 60 kids walked into my classroom and looked at me with expectation, and I looked back while trying to hide my fear! My first day of school as a “real” teacher is easily one of the most exciting days of my life, and it is all thanks to the School of Education at Baylor University.
Ashlyn Cramer (in pink) with some of her students at DeLay Middle School
I was hired to be an eighth-grade English teacher at DeLay Middle School in Lewisville, Texas. To say that I was nervous would be an understatement! I had passed all of my certification exams and my classes, but there is no lecture on “What to Say to Students on the First Day of School.” I took a deep breath and began.
Now my first year as a teacher is over. It went by so much faster than I anticipated, and I cannot believe that I am now considered a “second year” teacher.
I can say with 100% honesty that Baylor fully prepared me to be a successful teacher. My time as a TA [teaching associate/junior year] and Intern [senior year] was the best preparation I could ask for. Many of my fellow teachers were able to student teach for only about six weeks, but I student taught for a full year. I knew how to interact with students and teachers alike, and I was confident in my ability to create lessons that were creative and fun, while still being able to successfully translate the objectives to my students.
I found that I was able to form bonds with my students in unique ways, whether that be by supporting them at their sporting events, asking about their extracurricular activities, or being there when they needed someone.
Baylor encouraged us as TAs and Interns to get involved in the schools we were working in, and because of that encouragement I found myself wanting to be involved as a first year teacher too. I wanted to go to events, coach UIL, and chaperone dances. If Baylor had not prepared me so well, then I do not think that I would have been able to do those things.
The classes I took as an undergraduate student were so much more relevant than I realized, and I am so thankful for my professors and mentor teachers. They made the difference for me, and they made my transition from an Intern to a first-year teacher a fairly easy one. The only thing that came as a shock was the amount of meetings I had to attend and paperwork that needed immediate attention. It is pretty difficult to sign important documents, grade papers, be focused in meetings, and worry about the growth of your students all at the same time! All in all though, I felt prepared this first year, and I know that that is all thanks to Baylor.
One of my favorite moments this year was when I was able to celebrate with certain students when they passed STAAR for the first time. The STAAR test causes anxiety for most students, but for students at DeLay it is so much worse. Most of our kids are a part of the ESL program (English as a Second Language), and they are still expected to pass the same test that native English speakers struggle with. So, when I had some students pass STAAR for the first time in their educational career, it was time to celebrate, and it is a moment I will never forget.
One of my least favorite moments from this year was having to say good-bye to a certain student when he was leaving DeLay. Picture in your head the student that was always causing trouble and always in trouble. That was this student. He could not pass a class, could not stay out of ISS, and he gave me premature grey hair. He was disrespectful, a bully, and downright mean. He was every teacher’s nightmare, but he was my special case; he was my goal. I prayed for this student, I worked with this student, and we made progress. We had a certain understanding of each other, and before I knew it, I did not dread him coming to class! Even though this student made progress in my classroom, he was still not making the best choices elsewhere, and eventually he had to leave DeLay due to his choices. I will never forget his last day. He came to find all of his teachers to let us know he was leaving. When he found me, I asked if he needed anything from me. He thought about it, and he looked at me and said, “A hug.” My heart broke, and I gave the “to cool for school” eighth-grade boy a big hug. Part of this is a happy memory, but mostly it makes me sad. I wonder what else I should have done to help this young man.
Now I am gearing up for my second year at DeLay. I will be teaching sixth and eighth grade LEAP, which is still a form of ELA, and I could not be more excited for August! Thank you to DeLay for letting me work with your kids. Thank you to my students for putting up with me and my weirdness. But mostly thank you to Baylor. You have made me the teacher that I am, and I do not think that I would love my job nearly as much as I do without you. Sic ’Em!