[blockquote indent=”yes” ]The greatest enjoyment in teaching is knowing that the skills and knowledge I guide children to learn will serve them throughout their lives.” – Mrs. Chapman[/blockquote]
Debbie Chapman is one of our inaugural staff members at Providence School of Arts. Being that this is our first year of operation, she has truly been a blessing to our program. Debbie brings in a wealth of knowledge and experience (over 20 years) to this program. She holds a bachelors degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Emporia State University. She has taught in a wide variety of settings which include: Bonner Springs School District, Blue Springs Schools District, and Allen Village.
Tells us a little bit about your career and how you got into teaching.
My first summer job as a teenager was working as an aid with preschoolers with the Head Start Program. I enjoyed observing the teachers & watching how they engaged children in learning activities and especially how the students responded to positive encouragement. This program provided training for the teaching aides which opened up possibilities for me in that I could train to be a teacher. I loved the fact that I could help children in a way that would benefit them for life. I have been in education ever since then in various capacities. I have taught in public schools, I have homeschooled, taught in charter schools, and a number of church youth programs.
What is your greatest enjoyment in teaching ?
My greatest enjoyment in teaching is knowing that the skills I guide children to learn will serve them throughout their lives.
What is your greatest challenge?
The most challenging and rewarding part of teaching is finding effective methods to match students’ learning styles in order to help them achieve success and develop confidence in the gifts they have been given.
Being a semester into the program, how is it going?
The semester has gone well. I feel like the students are progressing very well academically and learning other skills in leadership and self-expression and are developing good work habits. Each student brings a unique and wonderful set of interests and talents that benefit our classroom.
What is your favorite bible verse and why?
My favorite bible verse is Ephesians 2:8-10 because it emphasizes that salvation can’t be earned but is given by a merciful, loving God. It also encourages me to search for and fulfill good works for His glory out of love and gratefulness; His direction and not obligation.
[blockquote indent=”yes” ]For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.[/blockquote]
How do you set goals and measure success for yourself and for your students?
Student goals are set by the Missouri Standards and our curriculum. I measure their knowledge and abilities based on how well the students perform on assessments and daily assignments. Though these are good guidelines, I also, value a student’s ability to persevere when necessary and enjoy learning about their world through questioning and discovery.