HUMBOLDT — Tasha Dawson said a life-changing experience led her into the teaching profession.
When a senior in high school, Dawson worked at a preschool where one particular boy’s progress impressed Dawson.
“Being able to see how much he grew and learned just from our one-on-one time was really what pushed me in becoming a teacher because I wanted to have that impact on all my kids,” said Dawson.
Today, Dawson is on staff at Humboldt Elementary School as a third-grade teacher.
After graduating from Cheney High School, Dawson spent a year at Cowley Community College in Arkansas City before transferring to Pittsburg State to pursue a degree in early childhood education.
Dawson said she received a good impression of USD 258 when she interviewed with them. She liked how Humboldt’s staff feels like family.
Dawson said she was very selective in majoring in early childhood education instead of elementary education, noting the younger children seem more eager for knowledge.
“At this age, they’re still willing to learn and they care about what you’re teaching them,” Dawson said. “I don’t want to feel like I’m wasting my time with kids who aren’t interested. I feel like they’re wanting to learn and I can actually help them.”
Dawson team teaches at HES, with Dawson in charge of reading, writing and language.
While she is adjusting to being a full-time teacher for the first time, she said it is worth everything to be teaching younger kids.
“I want to make sure that my students know that they are not only welcome to my classroom to learn, but they are welcome to come to me for anything,” Dawson said. “I’m always there for my students and the relationship that we build with our students is one of the most important things about being a teacher.”
Inspiration for teacher came at early age
