Long before Katrina Nguyendon ever stood at the front of a classroom, teaching was already knit into her life. With a father who was a teacher, pursuing a career in education felt natural, like she was born to teach. Before teaching she spent some time working with children ages thirteen through eighteen as she taught martial arts and coached volleyball from the age of seventeen to twenty four. These experiences helped her develop a passion for guiding and instructing students.
“Teaching was never really a question,” said Nguyendon. “I have always loved working with kids.”
For her, the decision to become a teacher felt less like a choice and more like a path that she needed to start walking towards.
However, deciding a subject took some time. She eventually chose English, a subject in which she has excelled in since high school. She enjoys analyzing stories and expressing her ideas through essays which make English feel both interesting and rewarding.
Her experiences in the classroom led to her meeting one of the people who would influence her the most, her high school AP language and literature teacher who she remembers as energetic and creative.
“She made learning challenging material fun,” said Nguyendon. “Even though the work was difficult, we still felt safe and supported in her classroom.”
The supportive environment the teacher created became something that she now strives to achieve with all of her students. She understands that all students learn differently, inspiring her to get creative and be patient with students as it is her understanding that emotional regulation is the key to students following standards. However, not all was an easy path for Nguyendon as there were some bumps along the road when teaching.
Before coming here she was ready to give up teaching completely, but because of our school’s amazing support she chose not to. This school stood out to her because the teachers are encouraged to be creative and connect emotionally with the students.
“This school helped me see that there is still hope in teaching; the administration understands the importance of independence in both staff and students,” said Nguyendon. “Although a curriculum and set expectations are to be reached, teachers can differentiate and get creative with the ways they teach students.”
After finding the light in teaching again Nguyendon shares not only her best piece of advice for our students, but also how she views her day to day lessons.
“I want students to understand that it is okay to struggle, and it is how you grow and how you learn,” said Nguyendon. “I want students to take away that they are smart enough to reach whatever goal they have as long as they apply themselves. Students need to know they are capable of more.”
Even though she has only been teaching at UACHS for a short amount of time, her will and determination for working with her students is already clear.
Teaching is not only about grades for Nguyendon, it is about gaming skills and confidence that will help you succeed in your life and reach the bigger picture.
At the end of the day, Nguyendon believes students should not feel pressured to have everything in life figured out. She hopes her students will grow, slow down and trust that growth takes time as they keep learning. After all the best journeys are not the ones we speed through, they are the ones truly lived.
