Kansas State University

KTWU sets air dates for College of Education's first-year teacher documentary

Submitted by Patrice L. Scott

KTWU will air the K-State College of Education's documentary about first-year teachers titled "The First 9 Months" at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, April 1, and Thursday, April 5. 

This is the college's latest installment in its "A Walk in My Shoes" series and follows five first-year teachers as they make the transition from future teacher to teacher. What is truly unique about this documentary is the teachers were given cameras and they recorded video diaries, sometimes daily, of their journeys in the classroom. There are incredibly sweet, fun and funny moments; and there are touching and heartbreaking moments as well. 

"Teaching is difficult," said Debbie Mercer, dean of the college. "It is not for the emotionally or intellectually weak and that is why we wanted to show what the profession is like from the other side of the desk. We've all been students but understanding what teaching truly is requires a different approach, so we took one." 

The first-year teachers appearing in the film and the school where they spent their first nine months teaching are: 

• Becky Brady taught kindergarten at Ware Elementary in Fort Riley.
• Renee Caraballo taught fifth grade at Chapman Elementary in Chapman.
• Caleb Roth taught seventh grade at Junction City Middle School in Junction City. 
• Skylar Ross taught third grade at Pawnee Elementary School in Overland Park. 
• Bridget Winter taught sixth grade at Saint Francis of Assisi in Wichita. 

See a full listing of the college's documentaries.