BABE #357: TRUDY LE - First Grade Teacher, Fort Caroline Elementary
Ever since she was a little BWH in the making, Trudy wanted to be a teacher. Today, she’s a first grade teacher at Fort Caroline Elementary, a Title 1 elementary school in Duval County, FL. She cares deeply about her students and goes above and beyond to ensure they receive a quality education. For Trudy, the extra hours logged are always worth the reward: a classroom of confident, smiling kiddos. Thank you for your hard work amidst a global pandemic during your first year of teaching, Trudy!
The Basics:
Hometown: Naples, Florida
Current city: Jacksonville, Florida
Alma mater: Florida Gulf Coast University
Degree: B.A., Elementary Education
Very first job: Hollister sales associate at 17
Hustle: First-grade teacher, Fort Caroline Elementary; After school tutor, The Boys & Girls Club
The Interests:
Babe, you admire and why?
My mom is the one person I have always admired. She is the strongest, most hardworking, and kindest person you will ever meet. My mom became a hairstylist to support my older sister and me, and she has been doing it ever since. She has her own business, works every single day and is very successful in her profession. She is excellent at what she does, and her clients will agree with me. Family is always number one to her. My mom is my best friend and has my back 100%. If I ever become half the woman my mom is, I would consider myself very lucky.
Dream concert?
Going to see Adele is the one concert I am dying to attend. I am such a fan, and I know every song by heart.
Favorite place you’ve traveled to?
I would say my favorite place I have traveled to is Maine. It is a place no one thinks about going when it comes to vacationing. I would recommend visiting if you have never been and if you are an outdoor person. It is just an abundance of beautiful scenery, hikes, has the best weather (in the summer), and serves the freshest and most delicious lobster rolls you’ll ever taste.
Favorite way to unplug?
My favorite way to unplug is to lip-sync and jam out to some old R&B and rap songs. On days when I have no energy, I would have to say cuddling with my pups and watching Netflix is just as satisfying.
The Hustle:
Tell us about your hustle.
My typical ordinary school day (before COVID-19) would start with coffee before walking into work at 7:10 a.m. I fix the calendar and schedule, lay out my lesson plans, write the standards on the board, and set up materials and manipulatives. Then, I start setting up the breakfast station. The school where I work is a Title I school, meaning we have a high number of low-income students, so the school receives grants to help with additional resources like free/reduced lunch and breakfast. School starts with an hour of our English language arts block which consists of writing and reading lessons, followed by a reading program called "Reading Mastery." Next is lunch, then reading time, then math centers. The afternoon resource schedule changes daily (media, computer lab, art, science, and P.E.) before I pick them up and take them out for recess. After they’ve worn themselves out from running around the playground, I sneak in science before 3:00 dismissal. I quickly write in student planners about their behavior and pass them out along with take-home folders. Before I end my day, I tutor kindergarten students for the Boys and Girls Club. Then, I head home at 4:30. As a teacher, your work never really just stops at school. Most teachers bring their work home with them as well.
Have you always been passionate about teaching?
For as long as I can remember, being a teacher was what I have always wanted. As a little girl, I remember playing school with my older sister, Jenny, and forcing her to be the student so that I could be the teacher. One of the reasons I wanted to become a teacher is so that I could contribute to my community in meaningful ways. To me, teaching is one of the most direct ways to make an impact. I am the type of person who is driven by the desire to help those around me, and being a teacher truly is an invaluable contribution. I have always felt that teachers do more than teach students—we impact lives far beyond the classroom. A teacher is more than just an educator—they’re a mentor, family, and a friend.
How has your job changed since the pandemic started?
I feel as though my job and role as a teacher are still the same. My part is to help students feel comfortable, secure, and safe in the best learning environment for them to be successful. It may look different due to this pandemic because now they are all learning online and watching me teach through a computer screen. I believe the most significant thing as educators is to comfort our students and support them to gain some normalcy and routine in this new way of living. To have video morning meetings, record yourself reading a book, have dance parties for brain breaks, or even a phone call home, all show the students that we are here for them even if we're not physically together.
What are some notable experiences you’ve had on the job recently?
It is hard asking 6-year-olds to learn how to navigate through an online course, take online quizzes, learn how to use a Word doc, turn in assignments, and join a meeting. But they are doing it. It’s incredible how fast they are learning and becoming fluent in this online course. I am blown away with their work and being able to get online to go to school with this pandemic happening. For them to keep their spirit and energy is very admirable. They make my day. I just die from laughing whenever I am teaching on the webcam, and I hear, "Miss Le, can I go to the bathroom?" or see them use their bathroom hand signal on the camera.
What’s one of the biggest obstacles you’ve faced in your work?
I teach at a Title I school where persistent absenteeism is an issue, students live in multi-family homes, and there is a need for access to devices and Wi-Fi. Attempting to implement a new online program that both teachers and students will need to learn and navigate during a pandemic has been difficult, though Duval County has done such a great job supplying laptops and Wi-Fi to families who need them.
How have your past experiences prepared you for the work you do today?
I graduated in May 2019 with a B.A. in elementary education. This is my first year of teaching. I am very fortunate to have had great college professors and taken courses that have prepared me for this moment. I was taught that technology is a crucial aspect of learning in schools. I have always known that kids in this generation are considered technological learners. I could sense that from my group of first graders, and saw how engaged they were when I brought technology into the classroom. I include PowerPoints, videos, and interactive lessons while I am teaching. I do the same thing now when I am teaching them online. I present the PowerPoints in our meetings and they are comfortable with the lessons.
What are some ways we can support those in your industry right now?
If you have a friend or family member who is a teacher during this coronavirus pandemic, please check on us! We need your support more than ever. There is immense and mounting pressure from parents, students, other teachers, and schools themselves. If you are a parent, please be patient with us because this is all very new for teachers too. Families help us motivate our students to get online and go to school. If you are a friend, support us with a FaceTime chat, or Zoom chat happy hours. You can also send us a bottle of wine!
How are you balancing your demanding role with your own health and wellness?
The best thing that I have done is designated a workspace just for working. That way, I am keeping work and home life separate. I found myself in my office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the first week of online teaching, just setting lessons and answering calls from parents and other teachers. To keep my sanity, I came up with clear and defined working hours. Once I walk out of my office and shut the door, I am done for the day. No emails, no phone class, no grading.
How has being a woman affected your professional experience?
It is quite apparent that most teachers are females. To this day, a large number of women are still pursuing a career in education. There is this widespread belief that women are more nurturing than men and that we are seen as ideal candidates, causing a vast gender gap in this industry. I do believe that we need more male teachers in this industry so that we can fill the teacher shortage and also show students that both males and females can pursue any career path with no restrictions. It is no secret that all teachers are grossly underpaid for the countless amount of hours and work they are putting in. Teachers are feeling less appreciated and gaining more stress. If we didn't see the value, dedication, and labor teachers pour into kids every day, I hope this pandemic changes your view. You can help us by voting in favor of teachers, regardless of your political views.
What’s one thing you wish the general public knew with regards to the pandemic?
This pandemic brought light to parents and families of how much is required from students during a school day. It is hard to break that mindset that first graders are just learning to color and draw. They are working hard to learn how to read, write, add, and subtract. I wish the general public knew how much is being asked from our students so that more is being done to help them at home and for everyone to see that this achievement gap is no joke. They aren’t just missing a month of school, these kids are missing out on a weeks of curriculum that will leave them at a disadvantage, falling behind whenever school does start up.
Career and/or life advice for other babes?
For teachers: build relationships with your kids, and let them get to know you. You are a large part of their lives, just as they are of yours. Empathize with them, and don't take everything personally—because sometimes it's not all about you.
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