Experiences she had back in the day as a student helped propel Karen Thomas to a career in teaching.
Thomas is retiring after 34 years of teaching in the classroom. That work included time at both Lewis Middle School and Patrick Henry High School where she taught seventh-grade Seminar World History, AP World History, and AP Art History.
In catching up recently with Thomas, she was on a bus in France with 25 students looking at European art. She relayed that she was tearing up just thinking about the fact her career was winding down.
“Not quite sure what I’ll do without you all,” Thomas said. “You are my memories. You are the world to me.”
Thomas has many fond recollections of the students and other teachers who she crossed paths with over the years.
“I grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and moved to California after graduating from college,” Thomas said.
“After a few years working in jobs that were not inspiring, I reflected on Mrs. Harmon, my English Literature teacher. She was clever and fun, and she always opened my mind to new ways of thinking. Most importantly, she believed in me. She changed my life. I wanted to give young people the same experience I had.”
The experiences Thomas had in the classroom over the years were made easier by feeling welcomed by both her peers and students.
According to Thomas, support for teachers, especially those in their first year at a school, is key.
“I remember feeling welcomed, mentored, and like part of a family as a new teacher both by the school itself and the community,” Thomas said.
“Being a new teacher is hard, and the community needs to help teachers gain confidence and find their strengths. It lays the foundation.”
When asked about some of the changes she and other teachers have gone through the last several decades, grading was one of the first things that came to mind.
“I have never understood the switch to a student getting a grade for going through the motions and gathering a bunch of points,” Thomas said.
“I also don’t understand failing a student. The way I’ve always seen it is that a grade comes from a deep understanding of the topic and the ability to see the topic from more than one perspective. To own the knowledge as a gift. To me, I always saw it as a contract between me and the individual student on our own to make that happen and not give up until it did.”
Another change over time for Thomas in the classroom has been the ever-evolving world of technology.
“I never embraced it in my classroom, and I think it was the key to my success — always pen to paper in a notebook and face-to-face conversations with students — not their parents,” Thomas said. “I always appreciated that parents respected and trusted me and their student to work toward success.”
As for the memories she will take with her, Thomas noted that there are many to consider.
“All of the beautiful people I have met along the way,” Thomas said. “The greatest friendships of my life are with fellow teachers.”
She ended by noting the parents she has encountered in her many years of teaching.
“I always felt so taken care of by my students’ parents,” Thomas said. “Thank you! I am sincerely grateful to you for trusting me, supporting me, and sharing your thoughts with me.”
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