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OKEECHOBEE, Fla. (CBS12) — Kogan & DiSalvo Personal Injury Law made a donation to our featured teachers of the week.
CBS12 News’ next “Teacher Feature” not only has she helped her students excel in science, but also played a big part in the school’s annual heritage day in Okeechobee County.
Carlyn Schaefer teaches 8th Grade science at Yearling Middle School. She has been a teacher for eight year, three of those years at Yearling Middle.
In that time, Schaefer has brought a level of engagement and excitement to her classroom that has been integral in a nearly 20% growth in science proficiency scores.
“I would love to give you a secret, but it’s the students,” said Schaefer. “They care and- there’s nothing more powerful than an 8th Grader that know you believe in them. There’s nothing more powerful and I believe they did the work. It was a team effort.”
Schaefer says part of those high test scores is getting her students excited about learning. She says that starts with the energy she brings into the classroom as a teacher.
“I’m gonna see my energy. Kids will feed off of you. I feed off of them. I turn everything into a game. Like mundane tasks when we’re doing laundry, dishes, It’s a game. At least for me. So I make learning a game. I’m so glad you’re here today because we’re doing a review for unit two (test) and I’m gameifying a study guide,” said Schaefer.
Creating hands-on lessons also helps her students learn and remember the material better.
“I’m a science teacher, so being hands on is natural easy. I love school. I love learning. Back then, how I learned in a textbook is not how the kids are learning today. So, I get them up and moving, using their hands. We do a lot of labs, making things a game, having them move, scavenger hunts,” said Schaefer. “With the administration I have, if it’s for the kids, the principal says yes. So, I’m like, ‘Can I take the kids outside today? Can we use chalk? can I use a ladder and climb something? have the kids drop things off? it’s always a yes, and it sticks with them.”
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Schaefer also has family roots from Africa. She uses her family’s heritage to educate her students in African culture.
“My mom’s South African, born and raised. So, everyone on my mom’s side is still in South Africa,” said Schaefer. “Here at Yearling, we are a quite unique bunch. We are a melting pot. There are several cultures. We have something called World Heritage Day, it’s the Friday before Thanksgiving break. I am able to show my booth and show them that even though I look a certain way, and I probably should know Spanish but I know another language, Africans, so they get to learn about my culture, eat some food and see how I was raised and where I come from.”
Schaefer is also a product of the Okeechobee County Schools District, having gone to schools there growing up. She says it’s a full circle moment to now teach within the same district.
“There are no words to describe seeing these 13 year-olds and knowing you can tell them the sky is the limit. You can leave Okeechobee. You can go to university. You can start your own business. You can travel. You can leave the country and be able to show them,” said Schaefer. “Several parents haven’t been able to give the opportunity for their kids to travel and explore, but be able to leave and come back, I was able to show the kids what you’re capable of and also put my love of learning into them because I am a part of Okeechobee, I love to learn and I thank my teachers and now I work side-by-side with the very same teachers who taught me. it’s a blessing.”
Schaefer is looking to get her Master’s in leadership, then one day hopes to become an administrator at one of the county schools. But she made it clear, Okeechobee is home and where she wants to be.
