Laura Khan '10

Q:   Can you share the moment you realized that you wanted to be a teacher?

A:   I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was in Mrs. Penterics' kinder class, and she taught me the joy of learning. All throughout elementary, middle, and high school, I participated in programs where we "taught" younger students and it deepened my passion for being an educator. 

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Q:   How did the UIW Teacher Education program help prepare you for your role as a teacher?

A:   The UIW Teacher Education program helped prepare me as a teacher because we were in schools the first semester of our freshmen year. We had the opportunity to work with several school districts in San Antonio, so we were exposed to the diverse populations in public education. Those experiences allowed me to really find my passion for Title 1 districts which is not something I had exposure to previously.  

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Q:   What is your favorite memory from the Teacher Education program at UIW?

A:   My favorite memory would be the relationships I built while in the program with my peers as well as my professors. The small class sizes allowed us to really connect and learn in a safe environment. 

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Q:   How long have you been working in education?

A:   I am in my 13th year in education.

 

Q:   Tell us about your current position/job.

A:   I am currently the RtI Lead in Aldine ISD in Houston, TX. In my current position I have the opportunity to support and mentor our district's Tier 3 Intervention Teachers at the Elementary and Middle schools. I also conduct a pipeline for teachers who are interested in becoming an RtI Teacher the following year. I work with our Program Directors to ensure we are selecting research based intervention programs for our students and develop implementation plans for those intervention programs for our teachers. I provide training to our administrators, our coaches, instructional specialists, and teachers on the Tier 2 & 3 intervention programs our district uses for Kinder-12th grade. I also support the administration and data analysis on Universal Screening because the data drives data based decisions. 

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Q:   What do you love the most about your current job?

A:   Although I do not have the opportunity to work with students as much as I would like, I love knowing that the work I do supports a larger student population than when I was in the classroom. 

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Q:   What helps you avoid job burnout?

A:   I avoid teacher burnout by setting boundaries. I make sure that once I leave work my time is for my family. Yes, there are times when I do have to work nights or weekends, but that is not my norm. 

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Q:   Do you have any advice for anyone considering a career in teaching?

A:    My advice for those who are considering a career in teaching is to make sure it is something you are truly passionate about. I would also say that once you're on the campuses see what "other" positions there are that are not necessarily the traditional classroom teachers such as specialists, coaches, etc. Exploring the "others" will help you seek support from and build your village. 

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Q:   What are your career goals for the next five years?

A:    I would like to continue a leadership role at the district level. Prior to becoming the RtI Lead, I thought leadership meant a principal or curriculum supervisor, but there are so many other opportunities out there.