By JJ Dao, Gabby Clarke, and Kiara MacFarland
Those who have used the third floor at any time during these past few months will likely recognize Ms. Elizabeth Schrim by the group of students crowding around her or the big smile she wears each day.
Ms. Schrim has been a student teacher in Mr. Duermeyer’s 7th grade ELA classroom since January 9th, and as her experience winds to close, several students reflected on the bonds they share with her.
Seventh grader Sakkirnan (JJ) Dao is proud to call Ms. Schrim “a great teacher.” He describes her as kind, compassionate, and motivating. “Ms. Schrim comes up with creative ideas, and she is very fair with her grading. For example, she gives students chances to improve their scores, and she motivates them when they do not want to. Students earned better grades because Ms. Schrim encouraged them to.”
A highlight of Ms. Schrim’s student teaching experience came when she conducted a Socratic Seminar involving themes from the novels and stories students read in ELA. Ms. Schrim spent time teaching seminar vocabulary, preparing students for a conversational forum, and moderating a two-day discussion that led her to earn high praise from her Point Park supervisor.
“Ms. Schrim is the best student teacher I have had so far at Shaler,” seventh grader Gabby Clarke said. “She is helpful with work that needs to be completed. Her assignments are different and creative compared to other ones. She is cooperative with students and lets them share their ideas with her and what they think about some of her lessons.”
Ms. Schrim’s final day will be on April 19th. She is a senior English education major at Point Park University working toward a 4th-8th Grade certificate. She said she “loves” working with middle school students “because I feel like I can actually connect with the kids. They are little humans who have great personalities!” Ms. Schrim said.
Gabby pointed out that Ms. Schrim has a blend of patience and professionalism.
“She keeps her cool when some students may make some… bad choices,” Gabby said. “She keeps it together. Her teaching skills are immaculate for teaching, and she makes a good role model to students. She grades things as they are assigned and is good about making corrections to spelling. Her lesson plans and ideas for quizzes get better by the day.
“Ms. Schrim stops problems before they escalate and handles them gently. She is good at displaying how the assignments should be written and how they will be graded. Her examples are great to look at to get an idea of what the assignment is about. She can be strict at times when it is needed in the classroom but doesn’t yell. She is the most confident student teacher I’ve seen in front of a class teaching.”
According to Mr. Duermeyer, Ms. Schrim’s charm is one of her best qualities. He said she brings a warmness to a classroom. “She is approachable, kind, and soft, but she also isn’t afraid to be tough when it is necessary,” Mr. Duermeyer said. “Ms. Schrim has the qualities required to be a great teacher!”
Another student, Kiara MacFarland, shared Mr. Duermeyer’s enthusiasm. “Ms. Schrim is one of the student teachers who is ready to become a teacher, who shows exquisite and extraordinary talents,” she said. “A few of these are that she is a great learner, having some of the best opportunities and opinions, and, to add on that, she has a very strong interest in teaching. More than most of the time I see her push herself hard to teach and learn more than anybody else that I know. Teachers are great tutors and all, but the sensation of the year is Ms. Schrim’s hard working attitude.”
SAMS students have developed a great relationship with Ms. Schrim and wish her the best of luck with her future. Many of them do not want to see her leave, as they appreciate her for being human with them. She has charisma like no other student teacher and cares deeply for her students, even if she has only known them for a short time.
