Superintendent offers advice to new teachers

  Monday, December 7, 2015 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

A group of newly minted teachers got encouragement and some advice from the top superintendent in Kansas, Monday. Cynthia Lane, the superintendent of the Kansas City, Kan., schools was the keynote speaker for the Pittsburg State University College of Education’s Student Teacher Recognition Ceremony.

Lane, who holds both a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in behavior disorders from PSU and a doctorate in education from the University of Kansas, talked to students who have just completed their student teaching and will graduate on Friday.

“You are entering the field at a remarkable time,” Lane told the students. “(It is) a time when our federal government and our state leaders are beginning to understand that we need to begin to focus on educating the whole child, not just the test score.”

Lane congratulated the students for “choosing the profession that truly makes the most difference in the world. It is a worthy endeavor,” Lane said. “It is a difficult endeavor. You will be challenged and you will be pushed and you will be asked to stretch yourself.”

Lane didn’t promise that the path ahead would always be smooth.

“Your first two years may not be a lot of fun, frankly. It’s difficult,” Lane said. “But realize that you’re learning to put it all together to help those children reach their dreams.”

She offered three things for students to think about as they begin their teaching careers.

“Number one, be informed,” Lane said. “Number two, be clear and intentional about every act and, number three, be inspired and inspire others.”

Lane said one source of inspiration for teachers is in the students they serve.

“Listen to their stories,” Lane said. “Find hope in their stories. And then use those stories to inspire you to get out of bed every day and know that each and every moment you spend with children shapes their lives, shapes our communities’ lives, shapes our state and will transform this nation into the nation that we all dream America can be.”

Following Lane’s address, the College of Education presented a medallion to each graduating senior and recognized the Delta Kappa Gamma/Lyla Vaughn Award winners, Aaron Dean of Overland Park, Kan.; and Ashley Dyche, of Shawnee, Kan.

The event concluded with the students’ taking of the Teacher’s Oath.