Shawna Grapentin
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Major: Family Social Science
M.Ed. Family Education, University of Minnesota
Current Job Title: Family and Consumer Science Teacher
Organization: Osseo Area Learning Center
The position was posted on the district’s webpage.
Student Life Counselor, Indiana Academy at Ball State University.
Visit Program Coordinator, U of MN-- Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
I teach Family and Consumer Science (FACS) at an alternative learning center. I am fortunate enough to have an administration that has allowed me to teach whatever I would like in my content area. Previously at this school, child development and parenting were the only two FACS classes offered, but this year I have expanded the options to include Interior Design, Consumer Smarts, and Interpersonal Relationships. I am looking forward to next year when I will be offering a new class in Fashion!
Multiple things that have contributed to my success as a teacher. Academically, the classes I took during my undergraduate career were very similar to the classes I am teaching high school students now. I remember thinking when I was in Interpersonal Relationships, “Gosh, I wish I would have learned this stuff earlier!” and now I'm teaching the same content to my students! I also try to get students to understand a major theme from Family Social Science: we all come from very different backgrounds and have very different worldviews but we can still exercise sensitivity and empathy toward all human beings. I also held leadership positions in the student activities I was involved in and the jobs I had throughout college. These activities helped me to refine essential skills such as time management, supervision of employees, public relations, and multi-tasking.
It's not necessarily the field or occupation, but most people make an erroneous assumption that the students who attend alternative schools or learning centers are somehow not 'normal' or 'bad' kids! This is not true at all-- my students are phenomenal! I often ask myself what normal is anyway, since the majority of us learn in a variety of ways and each of us is well-equipped with unique strengths. My students are inquisitive. In fact, this inquisitiveness often leads us to have hour-long discussions where we are so ingrained in the topic that we lose track of time until the bell rings. Finally, I think I have been most surprised by the politics that affect how schools are run and maintained and by all of the meetings teachers need to attend!
This biggest piece of advice is to network with as many people as you can. Often times, getting a job isn’t about what you know as much as it is about who you know. It's those connections that can really come in handy when you’re is looking for a new position. Also, I would greatly encourage students to be involved on campus with a variety of activities. This helps show prospective employers that you are able to balance academics with a personal life. Also, the skills you learn while being involved in a student group can greatly enhance your professional resume. Finally, I recommend that students study abroad or challenge themselves through other new experiences that can bring new perspectives to their world views.