School and Community Fall 2023

“One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is flexibility,” she noted. “The teaching profession has changed a lot in the last 20 plus years and will only continue to change in the years ahead. I also know that I don’t have to do this alone. Although I’m the only one in my school teaching my subject and grade, I know there are so many people throughout my district who I can ask for help and feedback.” Collaboration has been instrumental in Blessing’s growth and development as a teacher. Admittedly, she has primarily struggled with grading. “By ‘grading,’ I mean what to grade, how much to grade and doing it in a timely manner,” Blessing emphasized. “I don’t feel like my education program prepared me for this aspect of being a teacher, and I had to figure it out on my own with the help of my colleagues. Now I make lists of what needs to be graded first and try to look at the list in small pieces instead of thinking it all must be done right now.” Building on this spirit of self development, she stresses the importance of not just pouring energy into students but also refilling one’s own cup. When facing burnout, Blessing encourages educators to do what is best for themselves without feeling selfish. “We often think of what is best for the students but, as teachers, we need to think of ourselves, too,” she said. “Self-care has become a buzzword in general, but especially in education. The premise of self-care is spot on, but it is only what you make of it. It’s taken me many years, but I feel like I’m finally letting myself rest without feeling guilty. Find what helps you ‘escape’ school and be someone besides a teacher.” While Blessing has been fortunate to work in a district that she feels respects and values its teachers, she recognizes that not every educator enjoys such a supportive environment.

“I would like to see educators be given some grace and treated as experts in our field,” she explained. “If we want to encourage people to enter the teaching profession, we need to continue working on making a profession people want to remain in once they become teachers.” As always, MSTA continues to work toward this collaborative goal. Upon joining her first year in the classroom, Blessing wasn’t fully aware of the benefits available to her through the association. “I have since come to appreciate the support it has provided,” she said. “I can remember two specific situations in my career when I needed assistance, and everyone I came in contact with was very professional, yet caring.” Blessing’s enduring passion for teaching, adaptability and commitment to self care serve as a beacon of inspiration for colleagues. Her most treasured moments are when students in the community greet her fondly with a “Hi, Mrs. Blessing!” Jefferson County Region M endy Bradshaw (Dunklin R-5) was inspired to enter the world of education by a remarkable English teacher during her high school years. After 30 years in the classroom, she still

reflects fondly on those memories. “At the start of my sophomore year, I walked into P.J. Barbeau’s English II classroom and knew that I wanted to be an English teacher just like her,” Bradshaw mused. “She was tough, but enthusiastic and expected the best from her students. I took as many electives as I could with her and participated in student council and thespians, performing in school plays that she directed. She was such an inspiration and even attended my wedding!” Bradshaw attended Jefferson College and Missouri Baptist University for her associate and bachelor’s degrees, followed by Webster University where she earned a Master of Educational Technology. On the first day of her career, she was excited to be back at her alma mater, Herculaneum High School – coincidentally, in P.J. Barbeau’s same classroom. “The toughest lesson I had to learn was that not every student will like me... and that’s okay,” Bradshaw said. “I am a pleaser, and I began my career wanting all of my students to like me, so my classroom management suffered. It was very difficult to turn that around, and I struggled with it for the first two years of my teaching career.” After those first two years, Bradshaw took time off to have a second baby and committed to being a stay-at-home mom.

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