Teacher Spotlight: Desi Rice

Name:

Desi Rice

Where do you teach?

I teach Pre-K at Cotteral Elementary.

How long have you been teaching?

This is my 11th year to teach. All 11 years I have taught have been in Guthrie, in Pre-K and in the same classroom!

Where did you go to college?

I attended college at Oklahoma State University and majored in Early Childhood Education.

What's your favorite school supply?

I am kind of germ-a-phobic so I love Clorox wipes! It is nice to be able to wipe off the tables, scissors and markers after the kids use them. I also love colored pens!

Favorite thing about teaching?

Since I teach Pre-K, my age kids learn best through play. I get to come to work every day to play learning games, sing songs about rhyming and letters. Pre-K kids are so full of life and are excited to learn. They love giving hugs and are eager to please you! Another favorite thing about teaching is now that I have my own children we have the same schedule so we have more time together.

Who was your favorite teacher? Why?

I had many loving and nurturing teachers growing up. They all made be feel valued and important. My favorite teacher is one who was actually not one of my teachers in class. When I was a senior in high school I went to the elementary school in my hometown of Perry, Oklahoma, for one hour a day and helped in a first grade classroom. Janis Jones was the teacher in the class. Watching her passion for teaching and her love of the students was so inspiring that I wanted to have that same excitement in my future career. She inspired me to be a teacher!

What's your one tip for teaching?

My one tip for teaching is you have to be flexible. You never know when a fire drill is going to happen, or when technology is not going to work. Sometimes if there is a new concept I am trying to teach and it is not working I have to be flexible and change my approach.

If you could change one thing about education, what would you change?

I would like to change some of the state control on teachers and teaching.

If you didn't teach, what would you do?

If I didn't teach I would love to be a labor and delivery nurse.

One thing that makes you smile? 

My husband, Jason, and our two boys, Daelon and Jaxton! I also have a big smile when my students’ "light bulb" comes on and they understand a new skill!