Upon graduating from Macalester, I knew I wanted to serve as an Americorps member for a year, and then I assumed I would find a 'real job.' To my surprise, after six months as a VISTA I made up my mind to serve for a second year with the Saint Paul Public Schools Foundation. I applied to the Foundation's volunteer coordinator position because I saw the opportunity to stay with an organization I believed in and where I could apply the knowledge I gained as a tutoring coordinator. Read more... 

Angel Thomas, a fifth grade teacher at Maxfield Elementary, was inspired by her 11th grade math teacher, Ms. Lentch. Growing up in the Rondo Community, Angel attended Saint Paul Public Schools from the first time she stepped in a classroom and loved learning math. As she entered senior high, math went from favorite subject to hindrance and even made her rethink her desire to become an elementary school teacher.

"Mrs. Lentch was an awesome math teacher. She took me under her wing and let me come to her before school, during lunch and after school for extra support." Angel continued, "She even told me that she was going to adopt me because she wanted me to be successful."

Because of Mrs. Lentch, Angel learned that she could do anything if she worked at it while gaining confidence and self-worth.

"She believed in me and helped me to believe in myself. She has a lot to do with the person, and especially the teacher, I am today."

Angel started her career in SPPS as a teaching assistant and pursued her teaching license because she wanted to do more for Saint Paul students.

"I noticed a lot of kids falling behind and I got frustrated because as a TA, there's only so much you can do." Angel continued, "I wanted to be like Mrs. Lentch and take it to the next level for my students."

Now in her fourth year of teaching in her own classroom, she knows there are many joys and challenges of being a teacher.

Read more...