From tutor to teacher with a lot of dedication

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By RHONDA SIMONSON,

Hamline Kindergarten teacher

Due to some last-minute staffing changes at Hamline Elementary this fall, Hamline was able to hire a familiar face. Liz Casperson was hired as a fourth-grade teacher. Casperson graduated from Hamline University last spring with degrees in Elementary Education, Psychology, and Anthropology. Casperson had served in the tutoringTeachers together(1) program that connects elementary students with college students for all four years of her college career.

Photo left: Liz Casperson (right) and Barb Hvidhyld planning next week's lessons. Casperson has been mentored by Hvidhyld. Hvidhyld has been able to give tips...but she reports that Casperson has taught her some new ideas too. (Photo submitted)

“I saw how Hamline tutors impact lives,” Casperson said. “I worked with kindergarten, first and ELL students. I know I made a difference in their learning. It is also what interested me in education as a major.”

Carol Schjei, the kindergarten teacher who hosted Casperson for all four years, said “I could not operate without my Hamline tutors. I honestly do not know how teachers at other schools could meet the needs of all the students without these extra hands. We can be a very academic kindergarten due to the extra help....but also can get work done promptly so we can have recess and play. Five-year- olds love to play board games with a grown up. The tutors are just another teacher in the kids’ eyes. School goes better with lots of teachers caring about your needs.”

Schjei was the one who encouraged the principal to call Casperson and interview her for the job. Truthfully, it is helpful for a new hire to an SPPS position to have an “in”—for Casperson, tutoring at the school was her in.

Casperson has been mentored by Barb Hvidhyld since workshop week began. Hvidhyld has been able to give tips...but she reports that Casperson has taught her some new ideas too. She commented how Casperson puts in long hours, shows she cares and is very interested in making the jump from just being the tutor to being the person in charge of learning in the classroom.

At Hamline Elementary, all the children start the year by explaining their Hopes and Dreams. Casperson had her dream come true. She walked across the street for four years and received tutor pay. Now she is a professional beginning what everyone hopes is a long career with the Hamline community as a classroom teacher.

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