Amber Renteria-Hulme

Teaching is a profession that I always admired. My first career was not as a teacher, but as life often does, it led me down a different path towards the one that placed me where I needed to be. I have now been teaching for 5 1/2 year's. I am a special education teacher in a Title 1 middle school and there is no other place I would rather be.

I teach reading to students who are currently reading anywhere from a pre-reading level to a 3rd grade level. They range from being 3 to 6 years behind academically and struggle with even wanting to come to school.

In today's classroom it isn't just about teaching basic academic skills anymore. We often interrupt our planned lesson in order to teach life skills, social skills, and simple coping skills, just to get through our day. Our student's need hands on activities and ways to move and spend energy to keep them engaged in classroom activities. They need up to date technology to teach them skills that they need to be successful in our technological world, and they need love and understanding to know that they are not alone in their struggles. Teaching is a profession that I always admired. My first career was not as a teacher, but as life often does, it led me down a different path towards the... read more