From the New beginnings: Meet some of Lincoln Public Schools’ newest teachers series

Zach Hammack – Aug 14, 2021 Updated Sep 19, 2021 – Lincoln Journal Star

There are 318 teachers new to Lincoln Public Schools this year — including 158 in their first year of teaching. Starting this week, they’ll be jumping into a year that will be crucial for schools. The Journal Star met with a few of them earlier this month to get to know them. (Interviews have been edited for length and clarity).

School: Hill, Huntington and Lakeview elementaries and Lefler Middle School

Class: Elementary strings, music

How’d you get here: Recently moved to Lincoln from California.

On becoming a teacher: I’ve been teaching for 20 years, and Lincoln has an outstanding program that’s nationally recognized. My former boss knows my new boss, and that was the initial connection. Actually about a year ago, there was a video that was put out by Lincoln Public Schools about how the district was handling the music program, specifically instrumental and vocal music, in the midst of the pandemic, and it was very encouraging and inspiring. My wife and I were planning on relocation and when the video came out, it was definitely very interesting to see what was going on.

On teachers’ roles in the pandemic: I would say some things remain the same. Students will always need good teachers. And good teaching involves relationships, and so whether it’s through Zoom and through the internet, or in person, students always need good connections with their teachers. Good teaching skills are universal. But the thing I’m excited about is being in person with students and being able to have that meaningful relationship with students.

On catching up students: I think having a focus on the fundamentals, an understanding of the challenges that the students have had over the years. Not having the same performance expectations, but rebuilding relationships, rebuilding fundamentals, rebuilding basic skills that students need to have in order to move on. There’s going to be a generation that’s going to be missing some of those things, so I think teachers need to be understanding of the skills that the students are lacking and how to reteach those skills.

If it weren’t for teaching …: I would probably be in some sort of communication or publishing industry. Before teaching, I was in the publishing industry and enjoyed that and enjoyed forms of communication and the communication arts.

A teacher who inspired you: My band director my senior year was very inspirational and very encouraging. He was a fantastic teacher.

The one classroom item you can’t live without: My piano. Students love to hear music. Having a teacher perform and use music throughout the class is very important.

Meet LPS’ newest teachers: McPhee Elementary’s Abeer Al Doori

From the New beginnings: Meet some of Lincoln Public Schools’ newest teachers series

Zach Hammack – Aug 14, 2021 Updated Sep 19, 2021 – Lincoln Journal Star

Abeer Al Doori

School: McPhee Elementary

Grade: Fourth

How’d you get here: Moved to the United States in 2014 from Iraq, where she taught college courses.

On becoming a teacher: My previous experience was teaching at the college level. To be honest, teaching wasn’t my first choice, but when I got into that career, what I liked is the impact you can have on the students. I think I can thrive in this environment.

On teachers’ roles in the pandemic: It’s changed a lot. My student-teaching was in COVID. It’s challenging because we are not only teaching students, but at the same time we are constantly (looking out for) their own mental, their own behavioral health. It’s more responsibility added to the teacher.

On catching up students: The first thing I do believe is that students need to believe in themselves, that they can do it. I unfortunately have had some students who are like, ‘I can’t do it.’ Teaching them to believe in themselves is the priority. After that, we can take them step by step and chunk by chunk until they get where they need to be.

If it weren’t for teaching …: One of my dreams is to be a surgeon.

A teacher who inspired you: A professor in college who is now in England. He used to say, ‘Don’t say (they are) just a child,’ because they know things, they just need to be redirected to know everything in detail.

The one classroom item you can’t live without: My laptop projector, because I do believe that students need to follow with me, what page I am at. That visual is so helpful.

Contact the writer at zhammack@journalstar.com or 402-473-7225. On Twitter @zach_hammack