The New Third Grade Teacher Faces Challenges and Joys in Teaching At PACA

Caption: Mrs. Dorcas begins reading instructions to the next class assignment and her students respond with excitement and anticipation. [Paula-Chloe Asare-Duah]

by Paula-Chloe Asare-Duah

Although this is Dorcas Asara-Duah’s second year at PACA, it is her first year in the role of the third grade teacher; which has proved challenging on many levels due to the shortage of teachers and the large, incoming second grade class that was originally meant to have two homerooms for their third grade year.

It has taken a lot of patience and grace, and some very helpful teacher’s aides in the form of Valerie Schalm and Ms. Olamide Aluko. Together, the three ladies provide the entire third grade class with a quality education as they work through the challenges of learning together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ58KoeSszo

In the midst of the uncertainty surrounding the availability of another third grade homeroom teacher, Mrs. Dorcas, as her students like to call her, is finding ways to make her students feel at home and teaching them with confidence and skill.

Stepping into the classroom, vibrant with fall leaves and statements encouraging gratitude and thanksgiving, it is easy to see why students are thriving in this class.

Jeiel Park, is a third grade student who has been at PACA since the beginning of the year. She expressed what makes the teacher-student relationship work, and it has to do with her style of teaching.

Park said, “I like her, because she is kind and gentle.”

This simple yet powerful statement shows the importance of a teacher’s personality in creating a nurturing environment for students. According to her students, a kind teacher makes a difference in helping them feel safe and supported.

Park particularly enjoys the engaging activities that Mrs. Dorcas includes in her learning. For example, in English the class enjoyed playing a game where they needed to choose a noun from a list and change it to a progressive noun, each word had a cash prize.

When asked about her favorite thing to do in class, Park said, “I like to play the games and activities she gives me.”

The students are not the only ones who enjoy this part of learning. Mrs. Dorcas also agrees that the fun and interactive learning activities tend to pull students in and keep them engaged.

Caption: Students stay busy and motivated in Mrs. Dorcas Asare-Duah’s 3rd Grade class. [Paula-Chloe Asare-Duah]

“Fun games and activities seem to help my class with learning material,” said Dorcas.

The social aspect of Mrs. Dorcas’s classroom is another highlight for her students. It is easy to see from observing the class that the students get along well with each other and that they are on friendly terms with one another.

According to Mrs. Dorcas, “The class really enjoys brainbreak games.”

It is activities such as these that gets them moving and on their feet. Many third grade students particularly enjoy their language arts lessons with Mrs. Dorcas. This is something that Mrs. Dorcas has noticed as well.

“My students really love writing,” said Mrs. Dorcas, “because it provides better ways for them to express themselves.”

Mrs. Dorcas tries to nurture this passion by making language arts an exciting and enjoyable subject.