By April Clark Honaker
Alexandra Hicks Underwood grew up surrounded by positive role models in the field of education. Multiple women in her family chose the profession and excelled as educators, including her mother and grandmother. In preschool, Underwood said she wanted to be like her own teacher Ms. Lisa when she grew up.
Like many young college students, Underwood briefly lost sight of her childhood dream. She attended Louisiana Tech University and initially majored in accounting. At some point, Underwood said, “I realized I didn’t love it.”
Around that time, Underwood’s roommate, who was taking a child development class, helped her remember who she was. The two were talking about the child development curriculum and Underwood’s roommate said, “This is you.” Underwood went to change her major the next day.
Underwood then completed her Bachelor of Science in human ecology and child development and went on to complete her master’s in education as well. Underwood is certified to teach pre-k through fifth grade, and she is also certified in special education for Grades 1-5.
She has been teaching kindergarten at Dubach Elementary in Lincoln Parish since 2018. Underwood said the school is very small. Her classes have tended to be small as well–typically less than 15 students. But this year, Underwood said she is preparing to teach a full class.
Underwood’s favorite part of teaching is getting to know the students and their families.
“Having a strong connection with the families is a huge part of teaching,” she said, “and it helps build respect.”
When students are struggling, Underwood said, “I always make sure to keep parents in the loop and give extra tips and tricks to help the parents work with them at home.”
She also loves to see the progress her students make in the course of a year. She saves a piece of their work every week to show the students and their families at the end of the year. Underwood said, “It’s rewarding to watch them see how much they’ve grown and say, ‘Wow, I’ve really done a lot this year.’”
Sometimes the kids don’t recognize their early work. They’ll say, “That’s not mine.” But that lack of recognition really highlights how much they’ve learned and changed in the course of the year.
Underwood is beginning her fifth year at Dubach Elementary. She said last year was the first year she felt truly confident and that in the beginning it’s easy to let yourself work too hard or stay too late. But she is learning to take time for herself and would encourage other teachers to do the same. Although teaching can be stressful at times, Underwood said, “You have to remain positive and flexible because it always works out in the end.”
