Selling Her Tools
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Nancy Bartholomew filled the VFW building on Commercial Street last week with memories of her classroom days. Books, teaching materials and visual aids packed the room from end to end.
Bartholomew, who retired from teaching elementary school last year, decided the best way to continue her influence on children was to offer her teaching materials in a sale for other teachers.
“This is something the average citizen doesn’t realize ... how much materials the teachers are responsible for,” Bartholomew said as she pointed out various items around the room. “But it did allow us to teach our (classroom) in our own style.”
Boxes and boxes of books and other materials filled the VFW. Bartholomew said one important aspect of her classroom was the classroom library. Bartholomew loves to read and wanted to instill that in her students.
“Reading is how I unwind,” she said.
Bartholomew taught elementary school for 21 years. She started her teaching career in Mexico, where she taught non-English speaking students. She said teaching in Mexico made her appreciate teaching in the states even more. In Mexico, teachers had to make do with what they had.
“It was interesting because there were no materials,” she said. “You really learned to teach with nothing. It really made me appreciate getting to get materials here.”
Bartholomew said going back to school to become an elementary teacher was the best thing she did. She graduated from Pittsburgh State in Southeast Kansas and did all her continuing education at Emporia State University.
Bartholomew came to Emporia after her stint in Mexico because Emporia was where the jobs were.
“I drove up from Mexico for the interview,” she said.
Having taught in Mexico, Bartholomew said she had a good shot at a job here. She was able to teach more effectively, especially with Hispanic students. She knew the culture having experienced it first-hand in Mexico.
Bartholomew got the job and began teaching at Butcher Elementary School and later Riverside, which she retired from.
When she retired, she taught second grade, but she’s taught all grades from kindergarten through fourth-grade in her career.
“It’s really been rewarding,” she said.
Bartholomew talked about her “Aha!” teaching moment. She said she has an ability to get through to kids who have behavior problems, especially the boys. She said it makes her feel good to be able to help the kids feel good about themselves.
During her sale, Bartholomew saw many teachers looking for materials. Many marveled over the selection and the fact that much of the stuff was laminated.
Bartholomew said many mothers came in looking for teaching materials for their daughters.
Bartholomew offered advice for new teachers.
“Be positive,” she said. “You really have to enjoy kids. If you don’t have patience or get frustrated easily with kids, this is not where you want to be.”
Connecting with the kids also is important.
“If they can connect, they will be successful,” Bartholomew said. “If you can’t connect with kids, it just doesn’t work. You can always learn academics, but if you can’t always learn to connect. That’s instinct.”
Bartholomew said she still has more stuff to sell. She plans on having another sale later. When asked if she was sad to see her materials go, her answer was no.
“Knowing it is still going to be used is the important thing,” she said. “The big thing is just knowing that other kids will benefit from the materials.”