Danielle Bagshaw knew early on that she wanted to be a teacher. She came from a family of educators and grew up working basketball camps and saw the benefits in building those around her up.
While she is in her first year as an eighth grade math teacher at Iola Middle School, she spent four years teaching fourth grade in Independence. Bagshaw, who grew up in Chanute, also serves as the eighth grade girls basketball coach.
She says the most important thing a kid can know is that you care about each of them individually.
My dad is a K through 12 principal. It doesnt matter when you go up to the school, there is always a kid giving him a hug. They know he cares about them. If a kid knows that you care, they will run through a brick wall for you. They also know if you are just there for a paycheck. They sense those things, Bagshaw said.
My mom is a high school teacher. So she sees the kids that are by themselves, pretty much raising themselves. She is always there to give them a ride, she is there to loan them a few bucks for lunch, she just wants them to succeed. She wants them to have a chance. These are the things that I learned from them.
Bagshaw said she is impressed with the mental toughness that kids have.
In Independence, some of the things my students faced, they just take it in stride. These were things that as an adult, I wouldnt be able to face. And they just went on like it was a normal day, Bagshaw said.
Bagshaw teaches pre-algebra and algebra and is trying to instill in her students how math is used in everyday life.
She gives out assignments Monday through Thursday, then offers Fresh Start Fridays to help catch up anyone who is struggling.
Each Friday we go over the assignments. If someone is having trouble with a certain kind of problem, then we can go over it one-on-one during that hour. The goal for Friday is to make sure everyone knows what is going on, she said.
Bagshaw tries to incorporate other subjects into math, illustrating how math is a universal subject.
We bring science in with STEM projects. We do English with word problems. Just as an example, say Evan likes sports and is a baseball player. I will make his question geared toward him using sports questions, Bagshaw said.
And for students that are into art, Bagshaw has doodle notes. Students are allowed to draw pictures that relate to the problem, while taking notes.
I just want every student to succeed. I want every kid to have the opportunity to learn the way their minds are geared towards learning, Bagshaw said. There is nothing greater than seeing a kid learn and understand that they have an opportunity to do whatever they want to in life. To show them that hard work pays off. And even if no one in that childs family has been to college, it is still possible for them.
That is one of the biggest challenges as an educator. Kids that come from families where they are told that education doesnt matter. We try to build those students up and let them know that anything is possible for them.
