Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1497353
Riju Krishna SPECIALIZ ED ACADEM IC I NSTRUC TION TE ACH ER Association of County Educators (ACE) When Riju Krishna immi- grated to the United States in 2000, she worked as a system administrator in the technology industry. After 21 years as a special education teacher, Krishna wonders how she ever did anything else. "Every day, I wake up excited about what I'm going to do," Krishna says. " The passion has helped me grow and stay curious. I have grown every moment, and this is the only way I can be my best for students." As a single mother, Krishna needed a job that would allow her to take care of her family. She was driving by a Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) job fair when balloons they had put out caught Krishna's son's attention, necessitating a stop. She talked with SCCOE staff about potential job opportunities — Krishna had a master 's in mathemat- ics, was a math professor in India and was looking for a change. She and a friend agreed they would both try out teaching special education. When Krishna first arrived, it was challenging. But after the first week, she found her passion. "Before, I didn't know where I was heading, but after the first week in my class, I wondered why it took me so long to be here in special education. I was meant to be here," she says. "It was magical." ACE is Krishna's first union, and she immediately discovered that it was about so much more than con- tracts and rights. "A union is not just where you go when you are in trouble — it's a place where you become a better educator," she says. "Having a union is having a col- laboration of like-minded people who can truly help each other grow and do the best for our students." Krishna especially appreciates tapping into the collective knowledge and vast experience of her col- leagues to bounce ideas and grow as educators. "All of us have different motivations, but all of us have a passion for the students we serve," she says. " That like-mindedness unites us." Sylvia Harmon I N TER V EN TION TE ACH ER , AR T Oceanside Teachers Association After 16 years as a substitute teacher, Sylvia Harmon is a first-year intervention teacher, joining her father and husband as educators. She previously worked at a credit union — a job she didn't enjoy and decided not to return to after taking leave to care for her father during his final months. When her husband suggested substitute teaching, Harmon was not interested at all. "I said 'no way.' I remember what we used to do to substitutes," she says, though when she finally took the plunge, her attitude changed. "I started subbing and I absolutely loved it. I felt like I was really making a difference." Harmon had a number of long-term substitute assignments, so she was kept pretty busy — and lucky for her, primarily at the school her kids attended. When she was considering what she wanted to do, it was almost an easy decision. "I knew that I didn't want to go back to the rat race of banking. I didn't feel like I was making a difference at all," Harmon says. "I used to dread going to work, and I don't have that at all now. I'm excited to see the kids and I'm happier overall." Harmon is proud to be a first-year educator at 55 years old, especially since there were plenty of times she was overwhelmed and wanted to give up. But that was never an option for Harmon. "I had a lot of people ask me why I was doing all of this work when many of my friends are retiring," she says. "But I don't think I'm just starting — this is the natural next step in my career." As an intervention teacher, Harmon sees every student in the school, grades TK-5, once a week. In addition to fun art projects over the holidays, Harmon is now teaching students about different artists, dif- ferentiating based on grade level. She also teaches benchmark English Language Arts to a 4/5 combo class for 45 minutes every morning. "Every day I wake up excited about what I'm going to do. The passion has helped me grow and stay young." "I started subbing and I absolutely loved it. I felt like I was really making a difference." 20 cta.org Feature