This month, I spoke to one of our local teachers, Mrs. Alisha Ball, an intervention specialist at Spreckels Elementary School. Mrs. Ball has been teaching for 20 years and started out in the Soledad School District. Mrs. Ball taught young students for eight years. She then spent two years as an academic coach, teaching teachers. Mrs. Ball missed teaching kids and moved to the Spreckels School District, where she taught 4th grade at Spreckels Elementary until the pandemic. When the schools opened back up, she was tasked with helping students “catch up” on academics they missed during the distance learning years. 

Mrs. Ball realized she wanted a career in education early in life. “My dad was a teacher; really, I come from a family of teachers; it practically runs in my blood.” A driven student herself, she pursued her teaching credentials as soon as she started college, excited to share her knowledge and help young students. One might think teachers have repetitive days; however, Mrs. Ball says that couldn’t be further from the truth. “Every day is different…every student is different, so the same lesson in two different years isn't the same either.” 

If she had to describe the structure of her day, Mrs. Ball’s plan goes as such: students 2nd grade and up come in and out of her classroom throughout the day, and she teaches in small groups to help bring the students up to grade level in subjects like math and language arts. 

After the return to school from covid restrictions, she was hired as the intervention specialist to help those students who needed extra support, but it was quickly decided that her position was so important, that the position was made permanent, and she continues to help many students year after year. Helping these students and seeing them progress throughout the school year is truly a joy to Mrs. Ball, and she treasures all the benefits that come with teaching.

Of course, we all know about summer break, but according to Mrs. Ball, “It’s a much-needed mind reset because the school year can be intense.” She also loves that she gets to be more involved with her kids while they attend Spreckels and to work with such a great community of teachers. In her own words, “Spreckels is amazing.” 

While the benefits are fantastic, there are also challenges and surprises that come with her career. For one, she never knew she would think about the students so much in her off-time, always trying to think up more ways to keep them engaged and elevate their learning experience. Challenges she faces include those times when students are having trouble making progress or having behavioral struggles. These can make it difficult to persevere, but she’s always able to help her students get back on track, helping them find new joy in learning and remembering that everyone of every age has different qualities and attributes. 

Sometimes, people forget that teachers work hard every day, getting there early and staying late, all in an effort to help educate and care for students of all ages. “These people work so hard…we pick this profession to help each child do their best.” As such, it’s important that our community demonstrates grace and patience for teachers. For anyone interested in pursuing a career in education, Mrs. Ball gives these words of wisdom; “It’s not a job you can just turn on and off when you come to work and when you leave. You’re always thinking about how to best help the students.” She adds that the job is the best, but while also difficult, it’s never boring, and no day is ever the same.