Teacher Chris has been in every corner of Minnesota, from Eagan, to Duluth, to Lanesboro. For the past two years, he’s been teaching at Joyce while simultaneously going to school. After finishing up his schooling this spring, he also finished his time at Joyce to pursue teaching middle school. We sat down with him to see where he’s been and where he hopes to go as a teacher.
Joyce Preschool: Where did you grow up?
Teacher Chris: I grew up in Eagan, Minnesota with three sisters, my mom, and my dad. I’m the second of the four. So I’m older than most of them, and I didn’t get bossed around by the girls all the time— just most of the time.
JPS: What is your educational background?
TC: I got my undergraduate at Hamline University and that was to study Environmental Studies and Spanish. Then I moved to Lanesboro in southeastern Minnesota. It’s a tiny town of like 700 people, and I was there for my first job out of college. I was teaching middle schoolers about nature, the outdoors, teamwork, and being respectful of the world around us.
I worked there two years, and then I moved to Duluth to work at Hartley Nature Center. The nature center was way up on top of the hill away from the lake, so I couldn’t see it. But, the best part about Duluth is that everyone gets a lake view from their house because it’s a big hillside.
JPS: So that brings us to 4 years after you completed undergraduate schooling. What was next?
TC: I knew I was going to school down here in the cities to get my teaching license to teach science to middle schoolers and high schoolers, specifically biology. You’re limited to what options you can choose: biology, chemistry, physics. I choose biology because it’s the coolest of all. Also, biology seems the most relevant towards Environmental Science. I also started teaching at Joyce Preschool. I just finished my schooling this past April, two years after starting. My plan is to teach somewhere around the metro, preferably in the city or a nearby suburb.
JPS: What will you miss most about your Joyce classes?
TC: The joy of school and preschoolers’ positive attitude towards life in general. They’re so enthusiastic, trusting, and loving and cute. Not quite the same as a sixteen year old. (I’ll be teaching adolescents next.)
JPS: What will you take with you from your time at Joyce?
TC: The big picture thing is remembering that not everyone I’ll teach had the chance to attend such a nice, well-put together preschool like Joyce to prepare them for school. Also, to remind myself of the importance of education for early childhood and how that carries into their older years in school.
JPS:What is one of your favorite memories?
TC: There are so many. I think one of my favorites is when I was gone for a couple months student teaching this year, and I didn’t really have a chance to come visit in the twelve weeks I was gone. I came back and was kind of worried that the kids wouldn’t remember me, and their routine will be thrown off. But when I got back, one of the first things I found in my mailbox was a Valentine’s Day card from one of the little boys that he made for me with his mom’s help. His message for me was that while I was gone, he wanted to hug me but I wasn’t there to hug and he wanted to talk to me but I wasn’t there. It was so nice that he was thinking of me!
JPS: Anything else?
TC: Only that I’m excited to see that Joyce is still growing. I know that teachers that are replacing me will do a fantastic job and the kids will continue to get a great education and be ready for kindergarten. And that they’ll have so much fun playing outside next year in The Outdoor Classroom!
We’ll miss you Teacher Chris! You’ll always be a part of our Joyce Family — come visit us anytime!