Bronco Bulletin: Teacher Feature

 

How two different generations of educators

tackle the modern classroom. 

By Faith Hardy Lepper

A first-year teacher and a teacher with 34 years of experience may see the classroom differently. One is just beginning their career, while the other has spent decades learning how to connect with students. Still, both share the same goal. Student success

Coach Antony Evans has been teaching for 34 years. During that time, he has learned that students do not always understand concepts the same way. Evans says, “ I am constantly looking for ways to make lessons more memorable and give students different ways to solve problems when they are struggling.” 

 Geometry was Evans’ favorite class in high school, and he said it “shaped my whole career.” He also remembers his former teacher, Mr Hoge at PCHS, as someone who made a lasting impact on him.

After 34 years in education, Evans has plenty of advice for his students. One of his favorite reminders is “Negative signs are like the horns of a bull. You better know where they are at all times.” 

If he had not become a teacher, Evans said he probably would have become a firefighter. Outside of school, he enjoys babysitting his 9-month-old grandson.

Evans also believes being part of a one-school town makes the community special. “Everyone is a Bronco!” he said.

Although their experience levels differ, both teachers bring something valuable to the classroom. This one brings a fresh perspective to education. 

Ms. Clark is beginning her teaching career with inspiration from the teachers who made an impact on her throughout her own education. She says, "I have had several teachers in K-12 who were incredibly influential to me as a person." Having several teachers in her family also influenced her decision to become a teacher, explaining that she feels like she is "honoring them in a way."

During her student teaching experience, Clark had a mentor who helped shape the way she wants to teach. She admired how her mentor created an inclusive classroom and found ways to incorporate students' interests into their daily work, "so they felt seen." Clark also learned the importance of checking in with students and adjusting lessons when something is not working.

In her own classroom, Clark enjoys finding creative ways to teach important skills. She says, "I like to try to create fun versions of things that teach skills." One example is the "Newspaper" activity, where students summarize, identify key details, and analyze a short story through a creative format instead of completing a traditional written assignment.

Building relationships with students is also important to Clark. She shares things about herself such as her hobbies, pets, favorite colors, and music while still maintaining professional boundaries.

As a first-year teacher, Clark hopes to learn more about classroom management, grading, and balancing teaching with life outside of school. She says she wants to "gain insight in ways to manage grading in a timely manner while also keeping the work-life balance." Most of all, she wants to "gain insight on how to 'teach' and balance all the things." Although Coach Evans and Ms. Clark are at very different points in their careers, both show that great teaching comes from adapting, connecting with students, and always being willing to learn.