Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Anderson.
Hi Lindsey, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always wanted to be a teacher growing up. I knew it was my life’s purpose to help kids. I graduated college from the University of North Alabama in December of 2020 with a degree in Elementary Education. I landed my first teaching job at a school in my neighborhood at the time. It was a full-time sub position at a title one school. I began tik toking and sharing my story at that time. I loved working in a title one school. I felt like I was really making a difference, and I was able to give my love to those children. When summer came, I moved states. I ended up in Charleston, South Carolina at the end of July 2021. My original plan was to live here for a year and have a side job, but something told me to apply to some schools in the area. I had 5 interviews and 4 calls back. I landed a job teaching 5th grade ELA and Social Studies at a creative arts school. I was incredibly excited for my first real year teaching. I was able to implement the arts in our learning, and it was such a great year. I built a lot of strong connections with both the staff working there, and the students I taught. I will never forget my first class. This summer I decided to share some of my experiences teaching on my tiktok page @frenchfriesaresoyummy, and I am thrilled that it has reached the number of people that it has. From the feedback I have gotten I am happy to help inspire young educators to have a new attitude, be real human at school, and try new things in their classroom.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Although teaching is my passion, I absolutely love it. It is such a difficult job. With the help of my supportive colleagues, I would’ve drowned my first teaching. The workload in your first year is insane. You learn a lot of tricks and tips that you can take with you for years to come, but while you are learning them it is both physically and mentally draining. I am a dependent and currently, with the lifestyle, I live I cannot afford to pay my bills on a teacher’s salary here in Charleston. I will be taking the year off next year to become a substitute, learn a little more about the schools around me, work a separate job, and explore Charleston! This year I want to learn more about myself and what I want in life, I’m 24 and in a new space so there is a lot to learn! I want to become a better more responsible human for the kids I will get to teach in the years to come, and I think taking the year off will be a step in the right direction.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I think what sets me apart from others, is the strong relationships I build with my kids. I have made it my goal to be a safe person my students can talk to about anything. regardless of the student’s past, every day is a new day. I show up to school ready to teach and ready to be whatever I need to be for my students. I always start the day with a “good morning” and a compliment of some sort! We make learning fun in my class, we discuss the hard topics, and we can always circle back and discuss things again. I feel like a lot of teachers are set on an old way of learning and forget that our students are people too. I treat my students with respect as I hope they would treat me the same. I truly try and listen to how they want to learn, and I adapt my teaching to them.
How do you define success?
I define success as happiness and change. I truly try to live my life by spreading happiness and positivity anywhere go. I find the little things that make me happy, and I take what I put into the world. One compliment or one smile can turn someone’s day. Be a kind human! You will change the world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsey__anderson/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@frenchfriesaresoyummy
