Connecting Cultures: A 3rd Grade Teacher's Journey from the Dominican Republic to Williamston

In the latest episode of the Hornet Hive podcast, host Dr. Christopher Lewis sat down with Kara Bahmer, a dedicated 3rd grade teacher at Explorer Elementary in the Williamston School District. Through their insightful conversation, Kara shared her remarkable journey from teaching in the Dominican Republic to finding her place in the vibrant community of Williamston. Let's delve deeper into the key themes that emerged during their discussion.

Embracing Diversity:

Kara's experience teaching in the Dominican Republic provided her with a unique perspective on diversity and cultural inclusivity in the classroom. She highlighted the importance of recognizing and incorporating students' cultural backgrounds into their learning experience. By fostering a supportive environment that celebrates diversity, Kara creates a space where students feel seen and valued for who they are. Her approach underscores the significance of building connections beyond the classroom, whether by attending students' extracurricular activities or engaging with parents on a personal level.

Transitioning Back to the US System:

Transitioning back to the US education system after years abroad presented Kara with both challenges and opportunities. She reflected on the differences between teaching in the Dominican Republic and in Williamston, emphasizing the support system and collaborative spirit that define the school community. In Williamston, Kara found a network of colleagues and administrators who offer guidance, resources, and a sense of belonging, ultimately preventing burnout and fostering a strong sense of community.

The Joy of Teaching 3rd Grade:

Kara's enthusiasm for teaching 3rd grade shone through as she discussed the unique joys of working with students at this pivotal age. She emphasized the transition from learning to read to reading to learn, marking a significant milestone in students' academic journey. Witnessing her students' growth, independence, and self-discovery fuels Kara's passion for teaching and inspires her to create a nurturing environment where students can thrive and develop into confident learners and leaders.

Sustaining Through Challenges:

Navigating the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic during her early years in Williamston, Kara found sustenance in the unwavering support of her peers and the school community. She highlighted the invaluable role of collaboration, mentorship, and a shared sense of purpose in overcoming challenges and adapting to new teaching methods. The resilience and solidarity displayed by the Williamston team during challenging times exemplify the strength of their collective commitment to student success.

Impactful Moments in Teaching:

Kara shared a poignant story from her first year of teaching that encapsulates the profound impact educators can have on their students. A small gesture of kindness and understanding towards a struggling student resonated deeply, illustrating the significance of building meaningful relationships and showing compassion in the classroom. This anecdote serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting influence teachers can wield and the transformative power of empathy in education.

Kara Bahmer's journey as an educator embodies the essence of dedication, empathy, and community in shaping young minds. Her unwavering commitment to embracing diversity, fostering relationships, and creating a supportive learning environment reflects the heart of teaching. As Kara continues to inspire and uplift her students, her story serves as a testament to the profound impact teachers can have on the lives of those they teach.

 

TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:19]:
Welcome back to the Hornet Hive. I'm your host, doctor Christopher Lewis, one of the members of the Williamston Community Schools Board of Education. Really excited to have you back again this week. This week, as always, I love being able to share the good news, share the good news about our district, about the things that are happening within our district, about the people that are a part of our district because it's important. It's important for you to get to know the people that are interacting with our students and are working with our students, helping our students, the teachers, the staff, and others that are doing amazing things within our schools. And this week, we got another great guest. Kara Boehmer is with us today. And Kara is a 3rd grade teacher at Explorer Elementary.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:04]:
And I'm really excited to be able to get to know her a little bit better and for you to get to know her as well. Kara, thanks so much for being here today.

Kara Bahmer [00:01:10]:
Yes. Thanks so much for having me. I've enjoyed listening to podcasts about the other teachers. So I'm excited to share a little bit about my own story.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:18]:
Well, let's walk back in time a little bit. And I said you're a 3rd grade teacher here at Explorer Elementary. But what originally brought you to Williamson?

Kara Bahmer [00:01:28]:
I actually, previously, before Williamson, had taught 4 years in the Dominican Republic, so a very different setting. Basically, after 4 years there, I decided I had 1 foot in the Dominican Republic and 1 foot, kind of, in the states with my family. And to go forward, I needed to put 2 feet in one country. So I picked kind of this Ingham County area. This is where my sister lives. She lives close to Mason. So I was looking at the area around here. And Williamson is actually the first school I was hiring in the county, so I actually got a Skype interview at the time with Discovery, and I flew back for the weekend of my birthday, which is April 27th.

Kara Bahmer [00:02:04]:
And I had an in person interview that day, And then I basically flew back on Monday, and they offered me the job in May, I believe. So, basically, this is the one job I applied for from coming back, and they offered it to me. And it was a great school, so I joined 2nd grade team. And then during the COVID years, my very first year so I apologize that I brought COVID, you know, with my 1st year here. And then I really felt like I didn't end well with my student, so I decided to loop with them into 3rd grade. So I had my 1st year students, had them from 2019 until 2021, and then I decided to stay in 3rd grade.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:02:40]:
So So talk to me a little bit about you said, you were down in the Dominican Republic for 4 years. You said a very different educational system and a transition back into the United States. Talk to me about the biggest differences and what you had to really do to be able to make that transition back to the US system after being out for a little bit of time. Yeah.

Kara Bahmer [00:03:03]:
So the I think the biggest difference coming into it was in Dominican Republic, I taught English, but the student's first language wasn't Spanish. So I realized when I came as a second grade teacher, I would just say things, translate them into Spanish for the kids to understand. And the students here were so confused, and I was saying, put the tapas on the glue sticks, and that means lids, and that's just how I said it. Or, you know, I would just throw in a lot of Spanish words, and I wasn't realizing it until, you know, the second poor second grade students at Williamson were so confused about. Of course, going to 3rd grade, that group knows a lot more Spanish than most students because I would just randomly throw in words as I was teaching. I think also a big difference was when and where I taught was a school where a lot of the teachers were not licensed. I was one of the few who were was licensed, and I felt like there was a lot more burnout because, basically, you are your own island. Like, I would teach, and I would really couldn't trust necessarily the administration or the teachers around me to really know what to do.

Kara Bahmer [00:04:01]:
So I feel like here, I started off in my own island, but then I realized teachers around me and administrations all were really wonderful re supports I can rely on. And I've been here now for 5 years, and I think that difference has been that I don't feel burnt out because I have been able to rely on the staff around me versus, you know, having to be everything to my students.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:04:21]:
And what would you say that you feel that you brought out of that experience that you still incorporate into your classroom today?

Kara Bahmer [00:04:28]:
So I think that the big thing that I pull out of there is just the diversity of students and student learning. I feel like from there, it was almost a 100% of the students was English as a new language. I was teaching in English, but I taught 1st grade for 2 years. And my kids are doing carpet angels and, you know, rattling off Spanish songs while I try to teach. So I think that trying to kind of slow down talking and really notice the learner as themselves and incorporate their cultural backgrounds into the classroom of where they come from, their families. So now coming here, I know it's not necessarily the Dominican Republic culture, but I have a couple students in martial arts, so bringing in their martial arts teacher. I have a couple kids who are in soccer and actually showing up to the soccer games and going to basketball games and actually being a part of their lives, I think has been a really big forefront of my teaching career. And I think it has helped me develop relationships with parents versus just seeing them parent teacher conferences.

Kara Bahmer [00:05:25]:
Now I can sit next to them at their kids' soccer game and cheer with them and talk with them. I think that has been a really great highlight of my teaching career that I think kind of I pulled back from the Dominican Republic and being there.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:05:37]:
Now as you said, when you transitioned back, you jumped right into COVID and very different experience, not only transitioning back to a US system, but transitioning back in a time that was very different and having to not only transition for yourself, but helping your children in your classroom transition and learn in a whole new way. But as you think about that experience leading to where you are today, and you look at the years that you've been in the district thus far. Talk to me about, for you, what sustained you over these years? And what makes Williamston a great place to work?

Kara Bahmer [00:06:15]:
So, I feel like, as I talked before, the sustaining is that support system. I think Williamston has such an amazing support system that you don't notice unless you've been a lot of other places. For example, Kelly Campbell, she's one of the first ones to sub if you need a sub. Like, she's been in the classroom covering recesses, covering you have a 3 o'clock appointment that you don't wanna be gone the half day. She's gonna go into the classroom and sub, And I've come to her and said, hey. I need advice on the student, and she sat down with me for, you know, 10, 15 minutes, and that's very uncommon from a principal. As a 3rd grade team, we are very united. I feel like I can go to Libby Merrill who's across the hall and get math resources that she's been using, or go to Sarah and get some technology help, or, you know, Gail and Danielle, who've been teachers for so long, and get their advice about a student.

Kara Bahmer [00:07:04]:
And I really feel like there's an open door and that prevents the burnout and actually makes us feel like a a community, which I think is a big aspect, especially going through COVID, which brought out a lot of mental health and, you know, other issues that weren't as prevalent, I would say, before COVID.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:07:21]:
Now you are in 3rd grade. You said you started in 2nd grade and then looped with the kids and stayed in 3rd grade. What is it about 3rd grade that you love?

Kara Bahmer [00:07:31]:
I love 3rd grade. I think it's because that they are just a really great age where they can be independent in activities and assignments. They know how to, you know, to hold a pair of scissors. They know how to write their name. They know how to do different things, but they are still young enough to love school. I also think 3rd grade is the really that big switch from learning to read to reading to learn. Like, it basically is you're kind of beginning to enter upper elementary. You have introduction of multiplication, division, fraction.

Kara Bahmer [00:07:59]:
It's kind of just great introduction and push through before the bigger topics. And I really love seeing these students really come into themselves, really become aware that they don't have to have their hand held. They can do it on their own. I feel like this is a really great year for self discovery. And I just love watching students come in, you know, as young, timid second graders who really believe that the teacher has to do it for them and kind of lead into being leaders on their own. And, you know, I have sometimes kids come up and even teach a math lesson, and I tell them all the time that I'm not the only teacher in the room and really them realizing that, hey, I can be a helper myself. So I love that kind of transition. I feel like 3rd grade is where it happens the most.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:08:38]:
Every teacher that I talk to has stories. They are storytellers. They have many experiences that, again, sustains them and also can be challenges as well. For you, can you share a story with me that epitomizes for you the experience that you've had thus far as a staff member here in Williamston?

Kara Bahmer [00:08:56]:
Yeah. I feel like it's a really big question because I feel like, you know, every day has its stories and its thoughts and things like that. I think the story that stands out to me is my very first year teaching, I had a student that was really frustrated and really sad. I remember just sitting with him outside the hallway for 15 minutes while the other kids were gone and just trying to encourage him, trying to help him, and I really felt like I was failing. Like, he still felt pretty miserable and sad as he kinda went to the bus. And I ended up emailing the parent, be like, hey. I tried these things, and he just seemed to be kind of out of it today. I just wanna give you a heads up.

Kara Bahmer [00:09:30]:
And the mom went to check on him, and he was in his room, and he was writing a thank you letter to me at that exact time for my actions. So that humbled me in saying, like, hey. Even if we make really small actions and we don't see maybe where it goes, I guess, these small actions can make a big difference in the kids down the road. And even though we think it's so tiny, like, later on, it becomes a a bigger thing. Like, I've had students come back, you know, in 4th or 5th grade, and I remember doing this, or I remember doing that. And it's just really nice to be reminded. And I think that's what keeps us going. So, hey.

Kara Bahmer [00:10:03]:
Even these tiny steps we take to build relationships do matter. They do beyond the year even that we're with them. So that's my encouragement.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:10:12]:
Well, Kara, I just wanna say thank you. Thank you for sharing your story today, for being a huge advocate for our kids, for working hand in hand with them, for being a great member of our community. And I wish you all the best.

Kara Bahmer [00:10:26]:
Thank you so much.