Transfer teacher adjusts to new environment
By Kayla Augustine
September 07, 2006
Hosler transferred this year to Silver Lake High School from Waverly High School, a 1A school. She decided to transfer because she is getting married in December and wanted to live closer to her family in Topeka. Hosler not only moved here to be closer to her family, but she also heard about Silver Lake's reputation as an excellent school.
"I knew coming in that Silver Lake excelled in many areas, athletically and academically," Hosler said.
She said she originally went into teaching because she liked working with people.
"I just thought that teaching was a better fit for me because I really like to read and write; you can't really do that in many other professions," Hosler stated.
Hosler received her bachelor's degree in science and education from Emporia State University. She is currently working on her master's degree in English and will graduate in December.
Hosler believes students can accomplish anything if they just have a little motivation.
"An extra little push is all that the students need," added Hosler.
She not only teaches sophomore English, but she also assists Brad Womack with Learning Lab, an extended opportunity for students to learn. The students just need individual attention from a teacher to improve on any subject.
Transferring is as difficult for a teacher as it is for their new students. Both the teacher and student have to adapt to new systems, so the support she received from the students and faculty has helped.
"Silver Lake High School is different from Waverly High School because the expectations are set higher here than at Waverly. The students here expect that they will have to try to do well on the tests and assignments,” stated Hosler.
Hosler said she has to adapt to other changes. At Waverly, she taught all the English classes from ninth to 12th grade and had more responsibility not only as a teacher, but also as StuCo sponsor and cheerleading coach.
She said there are many similarities between the two schools. Waverly and Silver Lake are both small enough schools that teachers can get to know just about all of the students in the high school.
She said the students at both schools respect and are honest toward all the teachers and fellow students.
Hosler set a few professional goals for herself. She is obviously working to complete her master's degree. She also wants to make lesson plans more meaningful instead of just giving busy work and to make learning more individual.
Outside of school, Hosler enjoys playing sports, reading, spending time with her friends and family, and of course, shopping.
Overall, Hosler said she is glad she transferred to Silver Lake. She is very comfortable here after the faculty and the students welcomed her with open arms. She said she can concentrate more on teaching rather than all of the other responsibilities she had to uphold at Waverly.
"I am very happy with it so far because I am able to focus more on each class," added Hosler.
