The classroom was overwhelmed with chaos. One kid runs across the room to their friend, another bangs on their desk purposely. Children’s shouts and laughter deafen any attempts of other students to listen to junior Samantha Reese’s instruction in the room. It’s more than a handful; but for Reese, it’s her calling. Running a classroom is in her nature.
“I’ve always been passionate about becoming a teacher,” Reese said. “(Teaching is) difficult at first, but once you get to know the kids and watch how they kind of understand how they work and everything, it makes it worth it.”
Reese’s interest in education started in middle school. She remarks that her friends used to ask her for tutoring daily; which she happily obliged. Her passion expanded after reaching high school, where she took her first education instruction class with instructional practices teacher Kim Gorman.
“My drive to become an educator came from the amazing teachers who have inspired me,” Reese said. “ It was those teachers that showed me how much a teacher can help a student not only educationally but personally too.”
For Reese, Gorman is one of those teachers. As the year progressed, Gorman noticed a growing talent in Reese’s instruction skills. Gorman, the TAFE sponsor, encouraged Reese to join.. At her first area event, Reese competed in non-core subject presentation; she received a perfect score from all three judges.
“(Ever since joining) she has grown a lot,” Gorman said. “She’s really stepped up. She doesn’t mind stepping in to help whatsoever. She’s the first one here whenever we have a project, or she is the first one to volunteer to do something. She really has found her voice in TAFE.”
Reese describes her childcare experience as the backbone for her TAFE success. She credits the childcare class as inspiration to improve her education skills via TAFE, highlighting the story of preschooler Paisley Bird.
“Honestly, watching this little girl in childcare develop brought me so much joy,” Reese said. “Paisley, she’s really shy, she doesn’t like new people. I planned a game of Twister that day, and for the first time I saw her play and laugh and just start talking non stop and having fun with the rest of the kids. I think that’s part of why I do this.”
Reese was appointed as the TAFE chapter president this year. Additionally she was also elected as the TAFE area vice president. As vice president she assists the TAFE president with event coordination and communications within the area.
“(TAFE) immediately welcomed me when I joined, and I want to do the same now that I am the president.” Reese said. “It’s like a family, we tell everything to each other. I want to make sure that it continues that way after the older officers leave.”
Annually the TAFE officers present a group-made Creek Cub yearbook at area. This year the yearbook advanced the officers to state held in Moody Gardens in Galveston. Reese says she was surprised by the chaotic environment.”
“It was really engaging and at some point during breakouts it would get really intense.” Reese said. “It was a challenge to stay focused on my work while people were running around all over the place. It was such a blast though.”
Reese didn;t qualify past state this year, but the loss inspires her to improve. TAFE currently only has 15 members but has grown exponentially over the past three years. As Reese enters her senior year, she encourages other students to join the TAFE.
“We do more than just teaching stuff and working with kids,” Reese said. “(TAFE) teaches you to be professional and improve speaking skills, and it also offers close relationships. It’s important that we promote it , no matter what, if you have kids, we will impact you. We are the future educators who will raise the next generation, it’s important that it is done right.”
