Third Grade Teacher

 
Name: Elizabeth Anne Chahine  

Education: BA Economics, BA Latin American Studies, George Washington University
                    M.ed Bilingual Education, M.ed Teaching and Learning, De Paul University
                    Master certification Middle Childhood Literacy 

Born and raised: Wallingford, CT.

Position and Start Year at IAMS: Third Grade Teacher, 2006

Why are you in education? I am a teacher for a lot of reasons, which would be too difficult to sum up in a few sentences. However, I believe that the biggest reason I am in the field is because I love learning (though school has not always been easy for me). Being a teacher allows me to continue to learn everyday from my peers and my students. It is always exciting and never predictable.

What are your hobbies and interests? Knitting, gardening, reading, and cooking.

What was the last good book you read? I recently read, "Waiting for Snow in Havana," by Carlos Eire. It is a wonderful memoir written about life in Havana as a child in the fifties and sixties. It made me laugh hysterically and in the same breath, weep. It is a must read!

What are the traits you admire most in others? Compassion, work ethic, and humor.

What profession, other than education, could you also see yourself doing? I have always wanted to be a veterinarian. For those who know my classroom and my home, I am a bit of a zoo keeper. My pets are my children. I have always had pets and enjoy caring for them. I've had hamsters, fish, guinea pigs, crayfish, horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, and lizards. When I was very small, I used to set up a veterinarian office in the foyer of my house and do very complete checkups on my dog, from taking her blood pressure to testing her reflexes. Even now, I enjoy clipping toe nails and grooming my "critters," ensuring their health and happiness.

Who has been the largest influence on your life? While I feel my family has influenced me more than anyone, there is one particular teacher who seemed to change the course of my life. Up until my junior year in high school, I don't think I knew what I was capable of academically. What I believed was my best was not nearly my full potential. This particular teacher was brutally honest with me, letting me know that she had confidence in my abilities, but that she wasn't sure if I did. She understood me and seemed to know exactly what to say to motivate me. This teacher was the first to inspire me as a writer, and I carry many of the same strategies she taught me in my lessons to my third graders today. More than anything, she taught me that writing is empty without passion.

Where did you learn Spanish/English? I began studying Spanish in the ninth grade in a foreign language program. Spanish was extremely difficult for me in the beginning, as we were not allowed to speak English in the classroom. I did not understand how to conjugate verbs and didn't feel motivated to study the vocabulary. I felt utterly defeated. However, my teacher worked with me one-on-one and I made small improvements. When I learned about the opportunity to travel to Spain, I felt truly motivated and began pouring myself into my studies. The following year, I went to Spain for the summer and lived with a local family. My Spanish truly soared from there. Since then, I returned to Spain a second time, and eventually studied Economics and wrote my thesis at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA). However, my Spanish language studies continue every day and will be a lifelong pursuit.

What do you think is the greatest benefit of being bilingual? I believe that being bilingual has taught me to be a thinker. When I first began learning the language, I remember feeling like my brain was working harder than ever before (I would complain to my parents that it "made my head hurt"). It has made me a more flexible problem-solver, and has taught me to be a better student. It is something that constantly challenges me (even now), and will continue to challenge me the rest of my life.

Last updated 4-25-11