We're sitting in a yogurt shop, it’s a Friday afternoon, and it feels like I’m catching up with a friend. And that’s who Anne is, she’s a friend-to everyone. She’s also a wife, a mom, a teacher, and an instructor with Teachers College of San Joaquin.
I had Anne during my pre-service coursework in 2020. She was the first instructor I had that had her students fill out a “getting to know you” questionnaire, which asked for various information. However, one particular question at the end of that questionnaire stood out to me: “Is there anything I need to know about?” Up to that point, I hadn’t experienced a teacher, professor, or instructor asking me something so personal right off the bat and I almost didn’t know how to respond. Why would an instructor care about what was going on in my personal life? I was reluctant to share, but I knew it was something I needed to disclose: “My mom was just diagnosed with cancer and I am her “go to.” I go to all her doctor appointments, chemo treatments, and speak at all her doctor’s appointments because the tumor has also damaged her vocal cord.”
Anne was intentional with that last question on her questionnaire. Life happens and she knew that, and unfortunately our circumstances aren’t always convenient. So, she decided she would be a safe space for anyone who needed it, because going to school with a full time job and, now, in the middle of a pandemic, was not the ideal circumstance.
“People have stuff (going on) in their lives. You help them get through the day and then you can teach them.”
Anne was one instructor who always stood out to me, and not just because she was also willing to share her life with her students; which made her very relatable and approachable. It may also have something to do with her philosophy towards teaching: “People have stuff (going on) in their lives. You help them get through the day and then you can teach them.” She knew that to get the most out of students and to help them be their most successful selves meant not just teaching them, but also working with the very human parts of them, their lives. “Do your job and do it well. Be kind. Be helpful.” And Anne does just that.
So, how did Anne end up at TCSJ?
Anne credits her start at TCSJ to fellow instructor, Kecia Won Jones, who told Anne that she should work for the county (San Joaquin). She also gives credit to Cindy Brownell, who worked at TCSJ and also happened to be Anne’s “buddy reader”-Anne’s 6th graders partnered with Cindy’s 1st grade class on Fridays to read together. Cindy came and watched Anne teach in her classroom and the rest is history.
Anne has been an instructor with TCSJ for over 20 years. She was there when Teachers College only had “project impact.” This was when they only had pre-service and the intern credential program. There weren't any of the masters concentrations that are offered today.
In addition to being an instructor at TCSJ, Anne is also a kindergarten teacher with Lodi Unified. As she likes to put it, “I’m really a 6th grade teacher, that happens to teach kindergarten for the last 15 years.” Although a very different environment and quite the switch in grade levels, Anne just didn’t want to spend all her time grading papers; it just didn’t allow her to be there for her family. So she made the choice to switch on a whim with a fellow teacher and hasn’t looked back since.
“Do your job and do it well. Be kind. Be helpful.”
What’s next for Anne?
Between Anne’s career as an instructor at TCSJ and her career as a Teacher with Lodi Unified, she has touched a lot of lives. She often runs into students she had from many years ago who have big roles now. Some are superintendents, some are principals, and some are vice principals. And when these moments happen, sometimes she thinks, “should I be doing something else?”
Anne says being an instructor helps to keep her current-allowing her to learn from her students, as well as gives her energy and fills a part of her life. She is able to reach and influence many individuals, and she simply could not do that in any position other than being a teacher.
When asked if she always wanted to be a teacher, she said she actually wanted to be a veterinarian when she was younger. She specifically wanted to work with the dolphins and train them. But then she learned that there was a lot more to the job than just working with dolphins and changed her mind. Thank goodness she did.