Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/229155
FEATURE Karen Sturlaugson, third grade teacher at E. Neal Roberts Elementary in San Bernardino City USD, Kate Sumner, special education student teacher at Mariposa Elementary in Redlands USD, and Marcia Pifer, retired reading specialist from Colton JUSD. Janelle Williams and family S A N B E R N A R D I N O T E A C H E R S A S S O C I AT I O N J A N E LLE: Education is our family business because we're all very caring people. We like working with kids and seeing them grow in their abilities. We talk education all the time. We pass tips, advice and strategies and support each other. I think we pass around lessons, too. Lifelong learning runs in the family; we all have master's degrees. I was actually a business major in college. I began working at a savings and loan in the training department. I enjoyed training people for their new jobs. And that led me into teaching. You try to fight it, but you can't, because teaching is fun. I earned my bachelor's degree from San Diego State University, then went to Cal Poly Pomona and got my master's in educational technology. I taught business and computer classes for 26 years in Alhambra and also in San Bernardino. I earned my master's in counseling from Azusa University. I'd undergone a medical problem and was in the hospital for a long time. I realized people need a deeper understanding of the personal problems students face in school and in life. Being a counselor is rewarding because you know kids on a personal level and can help them with their problems. I'm now a counselor at Ramona Alessandro Elementary School in San Bernardino. M A RC I A P I F E R , Janelle's mother: My mother- in-law had several sisters who were teachers. It seemed natural to go into teaching. I received my bachelor's degree from Cal Poly Pomona and earned a master's degree in education with an emphasis on reading in 1985. I taught kindergarten and then first grade, becoming a reading 12 Educator 12 Dec 2013 v2.0 int.indd 12 specialist in the Colton Unified School District, where I taught from 1980 to 1999. I liked everything about it. I'm retired now, but help my daughter Karen in her classroom. I go almost every day. As a volunteer, I experience the joy without the stress. K A R E N STU R L AUGSON , Janelle's sister: Mother loved to go work every day, and I knew that was the career I wanted, too. I teach third grade at Roberts Elementary School in San Bernardino. I received my credential in 1986 from Cal State San Bernardino and also have a master's degree from Chapman University in reading instruction. I've been an elementary school teacher 26 years. I have two daughters; the oldest is in the student teaching program through University of Redlands. K ATE SUM N E R , Karen's daughter: I earned my bachelor's degree in communicative disorders and wanted to be a speech-language pathologist. I wanted to stay away from teaching. Then I changed my mind. I spent a lot of time going to Mom's schools since first grade and got used to being at a school and seeing her teach. I knew it was a good way to help kids. I am now student-teaching at Mariposa Elementary in Redlands. I like it a lot. J A N E LLE: My kids, Doug and Sarah, are in college. I'm not sure whether they'll go into teaching. M A R C I A : We might have more teachers in the family. Doug has always wanted to be a PE teacher. And Sarah looks like she'll make a good English teacher someday. DE C E M B E R 2013 | JANUARY 2014 12/14/13 3:32 PM