Teaching in a Pandemic Reflection Series (Leland, MS)

The following is from an interview with Jocelyn Jarrett & Abigail Thomson. They both entered MTC in 2019, and are currently teaching in the Leland School District.

1. WHAT DREW YOU TO JOIN THE MISSISSIPPI TEACHER CORPS?

Jocelyn: When I was an undergrad at Ole Miss, I was ready to go to law school, and my life was set. I was ready to take off. And then a wonderful Dr. Taylor came and spoke to my class. I was always drawn to kids, and the class was an Education Policy course. Dr. Taylor guest spoke and talked about MTC. Everything about the mission and the program just hit close to home. I remember reaching out to him and saying I’d love some additional information, and suddenly I was meeting with him at 7:30 AM the next morning for coffee. After that conversation, I knew this was what I wanted to do.

Abigail: I was a camp counselor throughout high school and my first year of college, but I didn’t ever think I was going to be a teacher. Then, I was in my junior year of college and thinking about what I wanted to do after undergrad. I knew I wanted to go to law school, but I wanted to take some time off first and do something that I thought would hone my foccus and give me a clearer idea of why I want to practice law. Also, my final year as a camp counselor I realized that I was going to miss working with kids. Then I started thinking maybe teaching is something that I’m interested in. I knew there were alternate-route programs, but I didn’t know anyone who had done one. I looked at other programs throughout the country, and I thought this one was just a fantastic opportunity. My major advisor was my reference during the application process. He’s someone I really trust and whose opinion I value. He was skeptical when I first told him about this program. He’s from Massachusetts and went to school in Cambridge and then Chicago, and shared my initial Northerner reservations about the South. But after he spoke with MTC staff for my reference, he came up to me and said, “That’s a great program”, and actually encouraged me to do it.

2. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST YEAR OF TEACHING LIKE IN MTC?

Jocelyn: My first year of teaching was honestly - it was a dumpster fire. It was the hardest year of my life, but it was the most rewarding. I never regretted it. I’ve built connections through the program that I never would have gotten otherwise. Plus, having the support system of people going through the same thing as you and to be able to come back to Oxford and sit through classes and have those people to fall back on, I’m so grateful.

Abigail: My first year was really hard. I am not a quitter, and I pride myself on that. But there were moments where I was seriously contemplating it. It was tough. But I really liked grad school, and I learned so much. I know that I definitely grew as a person, and I honed in my focus on what I want to do long term. I never planned on being a teacher the rest of my life nor staying in Mississippi, but this was an incredible experience. It helped me. I knew I wanted to work in education, since I grew up in a city where the achievement gap was very present. But it confirmed even more how I want to work in education. So yeah, the grad school piece was great, and I loved my cohort. They are amazing.

3. HOW WAS THIS SUMMER?

Abigail: The actual schooling - I was really impressed. We had an amazing group of kids. They were really smart and committed. I was really impressed by how it worked academically. It prepared me. I’ve never taught like that before. The camaraderie aspect - I definitely did miss. We were a really tight cohort, and our second years were super inclusive. It was unfortunate not to be able to do that with our first-years. There are first-years where I’m still like I don’t know who that is. And that’s unfortunate.

Jocelyn: I think summer school went a lot better than I thought it would go. I was nervous that I wouldn’t personally get a lot out of it. But like Abby mentioned, we’re virtual now, so getting to do that in summer school was such an advantage. Also, my mentor and role model is Ms. G., and I got to see her teach in that setting multiple times, and even came back later in summer school to watch her teach. Plus, the wellness challenge was so great too.. The whole world had shut down and the mental health aspect of it for myself was such a good reminder. Starting those habits in the summer were very helpful this semester. I’m grateful for that.

4. WHAT HAS THIS FALL SEMESTER BEEN LIKE FOR YOU AS A TEACHER?

Abigail: I am loving it. I am having a great fall. One of the hardest things for me was classroom management. I teach middle schoolers and they are a really tough age group. So classroom management was hard for me. It’s not like students were cursing at me or throwing things at me or anything like that, but it felt like a constant struggle to be that perfect classroom manager, and it frustrated me. Obviously, doing it all virtual, you really don’t have classroom management issues. I’ve gotten really good at the virtual format, and it’s helped me structure my classes better where I can spend more time helping them with their work. It’s also improved the quality of my lessons. I have a lot more prep time, which is great. Last year, I felt like I never had enough time in the day. I do miss seeing the kids though. We had homecoming earlier, and it was just so nice to see them.

Jocelyn: Classroom management was actually my favorite thing, so I’m struggling teaching virtually. I miss the troublemakers and the freshmen gossip. It’s hard building relationships with kids while they are virtual and I have never actually met them. I’ve been focusing on ways to try and build relationships with them. I think the world is on fire right now, and we’re everything is just changing so much and the district is doing the best it can. So it’s hard, but I think we’re getting through it.

5. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES (THE OVERALL COMMUNITY) DURING THIS TIME?

Abigail: I’ve learned a lot. I’m not from a rural area. I went to college in a rural area, but I was playing sports and going to college. It’s like a whole new world for me. When my mom came down to visit, she was like it’s like a different country down here. She’s from Boston. I don’t know if I really learned anything more this fall than I didn’t already know from last year. We have families and students that were struggling before the pandemic.

Jocelyn: I’ve seen some positives through this time period as well. I knew last year how close the community was, but this year it’s been even more apparent. I was involved in a research project this year where all of my students got a copy of The Hate U Give, and me and Mr. McDonough drove around the community to deliver 100 books to 100 kids. It was amazing. We drove to several different counties to knock on doors. Also, I had to get a COVID test and a relative of one of my students made sure I got the help I needed, once she recognized who I was. I am able to see how I fit into the community more this year.

6. WHO HAVE YOU LEANED ON FOR SUPPORT DURING THIS TIME?

Jocelyn: I think I have two different groups. I have my colleagues. There’s Alex and Shaun - I’m lucky to have them at the high school with me, which is huge. They’re always just a classroom or two away (or right now they are actually sharing a room with me)! The second group is our cohort. Even though we aren’t together, we have a Group Chat that we are always talking in. We’re supporting each other by sharing strategies and stories. But we also have members getting engaged and married. And some members are taking steps to get healthier. It’s such a great community to be a part of.

Abigail: I've never really been a big “lean-on” person. But we have a couple of people who were added to our MTC Delta squad, and I have more people at my school now. Plus, having Shrader and Talia in Cleveland is really nice in addition to Jocelyn and the others.

7. WHAT HAS BEEN ONE UNEXPECTED SILVER LINING ABOUT TEACHING THIS SEMESTER?

Abigail: My parent communication has really improved. I have a lot more time now. This has really allowed me to talk to parents more and foster those connections. As a result, parents have also been reaching out to me more than last year. It feels much more like a two-way street and I have seen some great results with student’s work and focus as a result.

Jocelyn: I’m definitely a people pleaser; so last year I was getting molded by everyone around me. This past summer, I remember Dan Hart gave us a lecture about finding your penny. Basically, find something you care about and find a way to bring it with you into the classroom. I thought I was doing that last year when I really wasn’t. With this year being virtual, I’ve been able to bring more of myself into the classroom. I love drawing, and I have been able to use things I’ve drawn. The kids don’t really know it, but it’s been fun to use my graphic designs and artwork in powerpoints and assignments. I didn’t get to do that much last year. I love that I get to do that stuff more.

8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A PART OF THE LELAND COMMUNITY?

Abigail: Because it is a small town, and I hadn’t been a part of a community like that before, it’s really cool how everyone knows who you are. Last year I coached in addition to teaching. Coaching almost broke me in terms of stress and time management, but it made me love my job and the community so much more. It made feel like a greater part of the community. Now, don’t get me wrong, sometimes I would like to go to Wal Mart in a sweatsuit and not see anyone, but it’s kind of nice to be recognized by students when I’m out at the same time.

Jocelyn: My favorite part is the kids. Ours are by far the best kids. I love them with my whole heart. Our kids will tease you and roast you in the kindest and sweetest ways possible. I remember sharing with my kids how much I loved RBG; and when she passed away this year, I had like three emails from kids checking on me. That was such a sweet thing for a group of 14-year olds to do.

Guest UserDecember 4, 2020