CHANDLER, AZ — It's that time of year again — the school year has wrapped up for many families across Arizona.
And it's no secret that our teachers are up against so much right now. In fact, according to Education Week, a non-partisan group focusing on education issues, 44% of teachers leave the profession within the first five years.
So we wanted to follow up with teachers who ABC15 interviewed at the beginning of the school year.
It was all about fractions the day we visited Lauren Coady's fourth-grade classroom at Chandler Unified School District's Andersen Elementary.
Even though Ms. Coady is teaching parts of a whole, this first-year teacher tells us she wholeheartedly loves what she does.
"It feels really good," says Ms. Coady. "It's honestly been surreal. In closing out the year with them, it's felt really good and I'm proud of the progress they've made and everything they've done by being here."
When we first met Ms. Coady in July 2022, she told us, "It's just crazy the impact that you can make. Sometimes I didn't even know I was getting through to certain kids until they would say something, it was their last day, and it would be a world of difference."
Ms. Coady says after her first year, she still feels like she's making a difference, but realizes the dynamic has changed a bit, now that she is no longer student-teaching and has her own classroom.
"I feel like it's been a little harder than when I was student-teaching. Just because I was able to step away and give more of that, but I do feel like I've been a support system."
Ms. Coady goes on to talk about the connection she's formed with her students, which is one of her favorite parts.
"I do really like fourth grade, so I'm excited to be staying in fourth grade. I like the age that they're at. They're funny. A lot of them are very funny. I feel like I have a good connection with them."
Ms. Coady also had advice for other first-year teachers.
"I would say take it one day at a time. Your first year doesn't need to define how your entire career will go. And everything is a learning opportunity."
And good news - Ms. Coady says she'll be back teaching fourth grade again next year!
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Usually, we talk about teachers who have decided to leave the profession altogether - part of the reason why our state has roughly 2,900 open teacher positions, according to the AEA. But that wasn't the case for Bethany Halligan at Conley Elementary in the Chandler Unified School District, who decided to take time off to raise her own children. Now, she's back in the classroom and loving every minute of it!
"It's been really amazing," says Mrs. Halligan. "We've had a wonderful year. The kids have grown so much."
They may be small in size, but they all have a big appetite for learning.
"I've always had a passion for kids," Mrs. Halligan told us in July 2022, just as she was getting ready to embark on her first year back as a full-time teacher.
"Just going to work every day and making a difference in children's lives is huge," Mrs. Halligan told ABC15 last summer. "And I've always been very passionate about it. You get to start with this blank canvas at the beginning of the year. And mold them into kids who love to learn."
And when we caught up with Mrs. Halligan in April, she was still just as enthusiastic.
"I strive to be the teacher I would want my kids to have. That sticks with me all the time."
Even though Mrs. Halligan makes it look easy, she admits, there were a few challenges but says she was able to overcome them.
"I think the most challenging part was time management at the beginning of the year. Really just figuring out how to balance school life and home life and setting up a schedule. Wednesdays I'll lesson plan, Thursdays I'll make copies."
Through it all, the Conley community has welcomed Mrs. Halligan with open arms and says she has been a fantastic addition to the school.
"Parents love her, kids love her, we love her," says principal Lisa Shore. "Mrs. Halligan is the kind of teacher you want your kids to have. She is warm and loving. She has high expectations for her kids. They know the routine at all times. She creates a very warm environment. The kids love her."
Mrs. Halligan loves them too - which is why she'll be back next year!
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Our special series following up with teachers at the end of the school year continues with a conversation with Madison Tavis, a recent Arizona State University grad, who embarked on her very first year of teaching.
You'd never know it was her first year — it was easy to see the connection she has with her first graders at Basha Elementary School in the Chandler Unified School District.
"When you welcome them with a smile and a happy attitude, they're going to be happy and give that back to you," says Ms. Tavis.
Back in July 2022, when we first met Ms. Tavis, she told us, "I'm just so excited to make a difference in these kids' lives."
And it turns out, Ms. Tavis is just as excited and enthusiastic at the end of the year as she was on that very first day.
"It's been awesome. It's been a journey for sure. A lot of hard work, lots of caffeine but I love my class and I love my school. They're like my little family!"
But Ms. Tavis explains it hasn't all been easy. She says this year has also been about self-discovery.
"I think the hardest part is realizing that I am a 'Type A' teacher, so I need a list, everything planned out, everything in my classroom has to have a space. And realizing that my to-do list is definitely not going to be done and realizing that I need to go home or that's not going to get finished."
And the most important lesson Ms. Tavis teaches isn't one you'll find in a textbook.
"I always remind them we are doing this together. We are both learning."
And good news - Ms. Tavis says this year went so well, she is happy to come back next year and teach once again at Basha!
We thank Ms. Tavis and all of our teachers who we know work so hard for our kids!
