Kelleher in the Ed Building hallway with one of her favorite literary characters
After graduating from college, Allie Kelleher committed to a year of service with the AmeriCorps program as a Literacy Tutor in a Santa Barbara elementary school. This experience inspired her to pursue her teaching credential in History/Social Studies here at the Gevirtz School. She chose the Teacher Education Program because of its unique requirement for all candidates to have a literacy placement as well as a content placement during their field work. Read more about her experiences in the classroom here.
GGSE: What has been a source of motivation for you in pursuing your teaching credential?
Kelleher: My background in education, from an AmeriCorps volunteer to an assistant teacher in a Montessori school, exposed me to very different types of schools but both drove home the idea that this was the career for me. I loved everything from building relationships with students and fellow educators to guiding students to follow their natural questioning and arrive at ideas that they could supportin a variety of subjects.
As a History/Social Studies candidate my focus is to support students in thinking both critically and globally. Through the lens of history and analysis of primary and secondary sources, students learn to question author perspective and purpose. This skill allows students to approach material in school and in the real world with both an open mind and critical eye that is imperative in the present day.
GGSE: You mentioned your experience as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Santa Barbara. How did this experience influence your decision to go to graduate school?
Kelleher: My time as an AmeriCorps volunteer after college greatly helped shape my career goals. I loved working as a Literacy Tutor, and although my caseload was 50 students (throughout K-6), I worked directly with students individually or in small groups. Building relationships with the students and being able to see their growth and mastery of content was inspiring. It was throughout this year that I learned the importance of classroom community when teaching. Students worked best when they were able to practice reading and writing in a low-risk setting and I saw them grow as learners because of this practice.
Ultimately, this experience led me to the UCSB TEP program, because I wanted to be on the team that supports students to reach their full potential. I genuinely love being on a junior high campus, helping to develop students' inquiry and curiosity about social studies and looking at how we can apply that knowledge to the world around them.
GGSE: What has been a highlight of your time in your placement school?
Kelleher: While my content period has been chalk full of wonderful, funny highlights, as well as important moments of learning. One highlight comes to mind at La Colina Junior High, where I am placed now, with a student who is an English Language learner and had been struggling with content. Despite having academic difficulties he was eager to learn so I moved him to the front of the room so I could support him more during group work and he could ask more questions. Recently, he has really flourished and feels more confident answering questions in class. In fact, this week his partner did not understand a concept and he asked me if he could help explain it to her! I was so proud and gladly encouraged him to help her. This was great to see that small adjustments in the classroom can support many students in the room.
I have also truly loved the unique feature of TEP is that we have a literacy placement as well, which focused on getting teachers experience with ELs or underserved students. Through this program, I have helped in two AVID classes and one Academy for Success class. Working as additional support for these underserved students has strengthened my commitment to these types of community building, college preparedness programs and I am excited to be involved in their equivalent in the school district I end up working in.
GGSE: Any hobbies or pastimes?
Kelleher: I play soccer on two local teams, an indoor team and in a 6v6 coed league. I have played my whole life and love that I get to continue even at my age! :) I also love to read and hike in the local foothills on the weekends!