Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) has created numerous partnerships with other colleges and universities in the form of articulation (transfer) agreements. These relationships between institutions provide students with a smooth curriculum transition that minimizes loss of credit and duplication of coursework.
SRTC Early Childhood Care & Education graduate Kenly Milam took advantage of SRTC’s transfer agreement with Albany State University to transition from her Associate of Applied Science to a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. Upon graduation, Scott Elementary School in Thomasville brought her on to teach fourth grade. She is currently working on her Master of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Thomas University.
Milam recently took the time to share some of the insights that she has learned along her journey to become an elementary school teacher.
Q: What drew you to early childhood education as a career? Did you always know that you would be a teacher one day?
A: I have always been interested in teaching, even from a young age. However, when I graduated high school, I tried another major for a semester, but it was not a good fit.
I then took a semester to volunteer in a kindergarten classroom and realized that I needed to be in the classroom. Not only did I need to be in the classroom, but I needed to be in an early childhood classroom. I wanted to grow children not just in academics but also as people. I wanted to form lasting relationships with my students that made them better citizens. I began the program at SRTC and the rest is history. I graduated summa cum laude from Albany State University (4.0 GPA) and was hired at the school where I completed my student teaching.
Q: Did you have any supporters during your time in college? If so, how did they feel about you choosing this college and career path?
A: My whole family (step-mom, father, grandfather, and grandmother) was supportive when I finally decided that education was the field for me. They were excited to see me happy and invested in a career. I was passionate about teaching, which made the course work easier and the observation hours flew by. I truly enjoyed learning about education and I enjoy my job currently. SRTC was a great place to start as it was local, reputable, and affordable. When it was time to move to ASU I considered other colleges, but ASU was the best decision as I knew it would also be local and seamlessly transfer my credits.
Q: Why did you decide to start your educational journey at SRTC?
A: SRTC was local, affordable, and well known for the education program. So much of what I learned in those fundamental Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) courses at SRTC still help me today in my own classroom. I even kept (and still use) most of the things I made in Jessica Barfield's class!
Q: How did you find out about the transfer agreement between SRTC and ASU? Why did you decide to take the transfer route?
A: The ASU transfer agreement was still pretty new when I was finishing up at SRTC. The ASU adjunct instructor (Sarah Rogers) came to talk with us during an SRTC class one day about what they offer, how long it will take, and how much it will cost. We were told that all of our credits would transfer seamlessly to ASU, ensuring us that no classes we had already taken would have to be retaken. I contemplated another university, but without the transfer agreement, I would've had to retake some classes. Overall, ASU seemed to be the best option with the least amount of headache.
Q: What did you enjoy about the ECCE program? Do you remember any particular lessons or advice that you still use today when you are working with kids?
A: I particularly loved the hands-on activities and the creative freedom of these projects. As mentioned before, I still have most of these creations! Almost all supplies were readily available on the Cairo campus and Thomasville campus so I had to use very little of my own personal money to pay for these assignments. I remember creating anchor charts, journal notebooks, felt books, and math centers. I do not currently use these things I created because they are geared towards pre-k to second grade and I currently teach fourth grade. However, it is always possible that I could be moved to a different grade and I will be equipped with fun and exciting activities to teach the standards! I remember Jessica Barfield telling us to complete some assignments with our non-dominant hand. When we complained and said it was hard, she told us that even though we are doing our best it is still hard so we should imagine how kids feel when they are trying to write their best and we tell them to write better. This is a piece of advice that I am sure will stick with me through my teaching career. I have been told that I am a "whole-child" teacher, meaning that instead of just teaching the standards, I also place importance through my lessons on teaching children socially, academically, and emotionally. I feel that the instruction at SRTC has made me see the importance of teaching the whole child.
Q: What was the most challenging thing about being a college student?
A: The coursework was tough, but definitely useful. Almost all of the assignments had a purpose and if you truly took the time to read the textbook, you could gain a lot of useful knowledge to help you in the future. I had a great support system, as I lived with my grandparents at the time. During my college career, I substitute taught at local elementary schools. This was actually the most challenging part of my day! I learned so much about classroom management and I could make connections between my coursework and what I was experiencing in the classroom. I would definitely recommend going to substitute teach while pursuing your degree if it is feasible for your situation. I believe this also helped me make a good impression during my practicums and student teaching semester. I had (for the most part) a pretty good handle on classroom management which made me more marketable than other first year teachers.
Q: Did you take the ASU classes at one of our SRTC campus locations?
A: I did! All of my classes were at SRTC-Cairo. I enjoyed going to class and learning from Mr. Arrington and Dr. Medlin. I learned a lot abou TKES standards from Mr. Arrington. Dr. Medlin taught us how to do hands-on science activities and projects which were awesome. I still use some of these techniques because I now teach fourth grade science! One of the main things that made going to class enjoyable was my classmates. I graduated with an amazing group of future educators who were willing to help each other.
Q: What is your career like as an elementary school teacher?
A: Where do I begin? I teach fourth grade reading and science at Scott Elementary. I am a Bulldog through and through! I am also the JV volleyball coach and the head swim coach at Thomasville High School. My first year of teaching was definitely a learning experience. This was also the first year of pandemic teaching for teachers across the globe. It was amazing to be immersed in that world and see teachers doing amazing things and helping each other amidst a pandemic and a bunch of new rules. I am a much better teacher than I was last year and I am sure next year I will be a much better teacher than I am this year. It is all about learning as you go and when you know better, do better! I am constantly finding new materials and instructional strategies to meet the needs of my students.
A good majority of my students are low achievement and low growth so I have to be creative in not only my instructional strategies but also how I motivate my students. However, the most powerful tool I have in my pocket as an educator is to build a relationship with each and every student. I get to know them, eat lunch with them, and tell them I care about them. You would be surprised how much more a student is willing to work when they know you care about them and their education!
Q: What do you love about working with children?
A: I love getting to know them for who they are. I learn each year that each child has a story to tell and I listen. They are funny, silly, smart, excited, sassy, and sometimes moody! Even on the hard days when none of my students seem to listen or care, I will get a hug from a child on their way to dismissal. Or, I will have a student tell me that they absolutely loved our science experiment today and they want to know when we will do another one. These little things keep me going. I also love to see their academic and emotional growth over the whole year. I praise them for this. I don't even think they realize how important it is, but I try to emphasize it to them. I am essentially watching them grow up, and it's exciting.
Q: What is the most challenging thing about working with children?
A: Working with children is not a walk in the park. I have earned the power in being firm, fair, and consistent. I am much better at this this year than I was last year, and it is showing. My class this year is a tougher class, but I have managed it well by maintaining these things. I also know that consistency is what they need as children and even if they don't like it, I am doing the right thing for them in the long run. The most challenging aspect for me has been to be consistent and firm in my expectations. However, I have learned it makes all the difference in the world.
Q: What advice would you give individuals who are considering becoming an elementary school teacher?
A: My advice for anyone who is considering becoming an elementary school teacher is to make sure that you are truly dedicated to children. Are you willing to be flexible to meet your student's needs? Are you willing to work collaboratively with other teachers to make your classroom more effective? Can you put your personal problems aside for eight hours a day for these children? These are questions you should be sure of before you embark on the road to education. For teachers who are about to step into the classroom, here is some advice:
1. Mind your own business. Do not concern yourself with other teachers and what they are doing in their classroom unless you are trying to learn. Do not get caught up in workplace drama. Stay far away from that!
2. TKES evaluations are hard, but they do not define you. Don't stress. Let the administrator see what you are really doing in your room.
3. Your work will never be finished. There is not a reward for being the last car in the parking lot every day. I try to leave each day between 3:30-4:30. You agreed to a job in exchange for benefits and salary, you did not sign your life away.
4. When you know better, do better.
5. Follow other teachers on social media. You will learn a lot of new things from them!
6. Listen to veteran teachers. For the most part, they know what they are talking about and just want to help you.
7. Stay firm, fair, and consistent.
8. Listen to your students, they all have a different story and want to share it with you.
SRTC has current articulation agreements with Albany State University, Georgia Military College, Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University, Thomas University, St. Matthew’s University, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Phoenix, and Valdosta State University. Additionally, there is a statewide agreement between TCSG and USG schools for transferability of over 28 general education (core) courses. To learn more about SRTC’s articulation agreements please visit http://southernregional.edu/academics/transfer-agreements.