Congratulations to Carmen Young on being chosen as the November Certified Employee of the Month!
For the entirety of Young's 25-year career, she has been an educator at Wilson's Mills Elementary. She has mainly taught fifth-grade students, as well as third and fourth-graders.
She has been married for 15 years to her husband, Jason. They have a 10-year-old daughter named Izzy, whom Young considers her greatest accomplishment.
Find out more about our November Certified Employee of the Month in Young's Spotlight Q&A below.
What inspired you to pursue a career in teaching?
My own experiences as a student played a significant role in my decision to pursue a career in teaching. I was born with cerebral palsy, so a lot of things were challenging growing up, especially from a physical standpoint.
However, the classroom was a place where the playing field was level (so to speak), and I excelled. Additionally, I was blessed with incredible educators who believed in me, challenged me to do my very best, and never let me make excuses.
What lessons has the profession taught you about education, students, and yourself?
Education is ever-changing, but what students need most hasn’t changed that much over the years. They need to feel safe, valued, heard, and capable. Students need consistency.
I’ve learned that I’m just as driven an educator as I was as a student in the classroom, and that I have to work just as hard, if not harder, to feel successful.
The most important thing to me, though, is that my students leave me as better people and better students, and that they believe their future desires are attainable through goal setting and hard work.
As an educator, building strong relationships with your students is paramount. What approaches do you use to create trust and bond with them?
I am open and real with my students. On the first day of school, I share my story, the challenges and triumphs, and make it okay for them to ask questions. Many of them have never had a disabled teacher, friend, or family member. I want them to know right out of the gate what to expect and that I welcome their curiosities.
I hold my students to a very high standard in the classroom regardless of their levels, but I am also completely supportive of them along the way. I try to teach them that mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow. To that end, I am quick to admit my own mistakes and to apologize when necessary. It’s important to me that I keep my promises to them, however small, and always make time to listen.
Lastly, whenever I can, I show up to their events outside of school: football games, softball tournaments, gymnastics meets, etc. I want students and families to know that I’m invested in them beyond the data and grades.
Describe a memorable teaching experience that had a lasting impact on you. What made it special, and what did you learn from it?
Wow! I am not sure how to pick just one. I’ll tell you about Taylor. Taylor was an active, energetic fifth-grade boy who didn’t always think before he acted. So, he and I frequently had conversations about making better choices. Those conversations often took place on the porch of my mobile unit, away from an audience.
Academically, Taylor’s grades were decent, but he was admittedly not fond of schoolwork. Considering all of the above, Taylor and I maintained a positive relationship throughout his fifth-grade year.
Fast forward almost nine years, and Taylor came to Wilson's Mills Elementary one day with his mom, and they found me in the cafeteria. Taylor was in an Army uniform, and he walked over, said hello, and hugged me. He said he had asked his mom to please bring him to visit before he left for boot camp.
He thanked me for not giving up on him, for encouraging him to do his best, and for the porch conversations! Taylor and I still keep in touch. What I learned is, even if you don’t see it right away, and maybe sometimes you never get to witness it, your effort to build relationships matters and is well worth it in the end.
Looking ahead in your career as an educator, what goals would you like to accomplish in the field of education?
Honestly, I’m doing what I love to do! My goal is simply to continue to be better every day; better instructionally, better as a leader, communicator, and listener. I’ve thought many times about coming out of the classroom for a more curriculum-focused or specialist role, but I always come to the same conclusion…I’d miss the students too much!
I enjoy being involved in the school improvement process and the mentoring program. I have a particular passion for advanced learners as well as fifth-grade science curriculum writing. Maybe one of those will provide an opportunity when the time is right.
This year’s theme is Forward, with a focus on our North Star - Student Achievement and Academic Growth. How do you plan to carry this theme into your classroom and continue building on your award-winning strategies?
Ironically, I believe moving forward requires looking back. I am a reflective practitioner, sometimes to the detriment of my sleep! Taking the time to identify a roadblock and offer a solution facilitates growth forward.
Problem-solving in the classroom requires communication between all stakeholders: classroom and support staff, parents, administrators, and guidance counselors. Moving forward requires clearly identifying the problem, academic or otherwise, and taking real, actionable steps toward the students’ goals.