By April C. Honaker
Michellian Findley has been teaching fifth grade at Cypress Springs Elementary for 10 years. Nine of those years were spent teaching math and science.
Findley, who is a veteran of the U.S. Army, grew up in the Bronx of New York City.
While stationed in Fort Knox, Ky., Findley had the opportunity to teach fourth graders in a church program called Awana. According to the Awana website, it is a nonprofit ministry that “gives children the opportunity to know, love and serve Jesus, no matter their background.”
While teaching children about the Bible, Findley said she started to see teaching as a career option.
“It made me believe I could be a teacher,” she said, “because I enjoyed it.”
Findley retired from the Army in 2011. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education K-5 and her master’s degree in elementary education with a concentration in math from Western Kentucky University.
One of Findley’s favorite things to teach is how to dissect word problems in math. She helps students learn to distinguish what they need to solve the problem from what they don’t, as well as how to justify and critique their answers. Being able to explain their answers is important.
“If you can do it, you should be able to explain it and write about it,” she said.
According to Findley, this type of classroom practice provides benefits beyond math.
“It helps them when it comes to talking to people,” she said. “They learn how to be personable and express themselves.” Findley believes such skills will help them later in life–for example when they apply for jobs
When it comes to teaching science, Findley said, “I like the fact that one of them may one day become a scientist due to the experiments we do.”
She acknowledged that in science things might smell, look and feel different. But Findley said this is no excuse to behave immaturely.
“You have to be mature when you’re in science,” she said. “‘Eewwww’ is not science.”
Findley teaches her students to observe, ask questions, and explain. These, too, are skills the students will carry with them into adulthood.
“You don’t really see the fruits of your labor the year that you teach them,” she said. The fruits come later. One way Findley knows she’s making an impact is when students she taught see her when they’re in high school and still want to come up and hug her because they miss her. “That’s what makes teaching worth it,” she said.
Being a veteran makes Findley unique among her peers. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only around 2 percent of all teachers are veterans.
Findley said her experience as a veteran makes her a better teacher.
“It helps me manage my class, keep structure, and instill discipline. The goal is not for them to fear me but to hear my voice,” she said.
She reminds her students how important it is to know what’s going on at all times.
“Sometimes that’s the difference in living and dying,” she said, which is something that has been instilled in her after 20 years of active duty service and a tour in Iraq.
As Findley pointed out, these days a voice over the intercom could be telling them to take shelter. Findley tells her students, “I’m not your mom, but I am a mom, and I’m responsible for you from 7:30 to 2:45. I’m your guardian during that time.” She said if they didn’t come to her broken, they’re not leaving broken.
Findley wants them to leave her classroom better than they were when they came in. She wants them to not only be good students but also to be good humans.
“They’re gonna be assets to society one day,” she said, “and I want them to grow up and be marketable, and I don’t think it’s too early to work on that.”
