GREENFIELD — As a young girl, Katie Shockley would often line up stuffed animals in her bedroom and play teacher with her little brother and sister, giving out homework and going over lesson plans.
She may have outgrown make-believe, but Shockley has never lost the desire to teach.
“I’ve had no second thoughts about being a teacher,” she said. “It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do.”
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The 22-year-old Greenfield-Central graduate returned to her roots this week as one of many first-year educators throughout the county. Heading into the first day of school on Thursday, Shockley, a first-grade teacher at Harris Elementary School, changed the layout of her new classroom a few times, adding different stations for student group work and decorating the room with colorful banners and signs.
Shortly after the bell rang Thursday morning, Shockley seemed to quickly capture her students’ attention. She and her 23 first-graders talked about their summers, spent time reading books out loud and came up with a list of classroom rules for the year, from paying attention to cleaning up messes.
Shockley said she wants her students to experience fun and enjoyment in the classroom.
“I want them to set goals for themselves, even at a young age,” she said, “and just learn and grow as much as they can.”
At the start of each day, Shockley plans to meet with her students in a “community circle.” While the kids sit “criss-cross applesauce” on a mat, they’ll review the days of the week, the weather and the changing seasons. Every student will also have a classroom job, Shockley said, to keep them engaged.
Kids are a big part of her life, she said. Shockley not only grew up helping her younger siblings with homework, but she spent several summers as a nanny. She’s also coached the high school’s cheer team over the past few years. So, pursuing a career in education was a natural fit for her, she said.
After graduating from Greenfield-Central in 2015, Shockley enrolled at IUPUI to study elementary education with a concentration in reading. During her last year in college, Shockley student-taught third-grade and fifth-grade classes for Indianapolis Public Schools’ William Penn School 49. While she enjoyed her time teaching in Indianapolis, Shockley said her goal was to return to her hometown.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Shockley said about Greenfield. “I don’t think I’ll ever move anywhere else.”
When she saw a position open up at Harris Elementary, Shockley said she immediately applied. During high school, she used to cadet teach for Kim McKee, a first-grade teacher at Harris and a family friend.
“It’s been a dream for sure,” she said about teaching at Harris.
McKee, whose classroom is now across the hall from Shockley’s, said she remembers how engaged students were with Shockley as a cadet and also when she visited the class for a college practicum.
“As she transitions from her college experience to teaching, I think she’ll find how rewarding it’ll be,” McKee said.
Shockley, who was hired two weeks ago, said she’s grateful to have a supportive staff at Harris, especially as a new teacher. She’s been able to easily ask questions and get advice. It can be overwhelming for new teachers, so Shockley, McKee and fellow first-grade teacher Kristin Fewell have been in constant communication as of late, making sure Shockley has a smooth transition.
With two full days of school complete, Shockley said she’s felt “all of the emotions” starting something new. But, she said she’s mostly ecstatic to see how her students grow and learn over the year.
“Our team, the school and our students are ready to rock the year out,” she said.
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“I’ve had no second thoughts about being a teacher. It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do.”
Katie Shockley, first-year teacher at Harris Elementary School
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