The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Meet the teacher: Alice Brobst-Walsh
Teacher says supportive families make Milan schools a special place
PUBLISHED: January 10, 2008
Name: Alice Brobst-Walsh
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Age: Over 50
Family: Husband (Jerry Walsh), two adult stepchildren (both teachers!)
Education: Master's degree from Eastern Michigan University, master's in education from Seattle Pacific University; bachelor's degree in education from Pacific Lutheran University.
Native of: Born in Washington, D.C., and grew up outside Denver. I began my teaching career in Richland, Wash.
Teaching Experience: Six years in Richland, Wash., 1 1/2 years in Ypsilanti and 23 years in Milan.
School you teach at: Paddock Elementary School for 17 years and Symons Elementary since its opening.
Grade/subject you teach: Fourth grade
Favorite subject in school: History and language arts
Least favorite subject in school: Math
Something people would be surprised to know about you: I lived in Washington State when Mount St. Helens erupted.
Most influential person in your life: My Grandmother Katz, Mrs. Gott, my Latin teacher, and Mr. Rold, my fourth- and sixth-grade teacher.
Quote to live by: "It's not what you know; it's what you do with what you know that counts." (Found in a fortune cookie.)
What do you like most about teaching?
The kids, their excitement at learning new things and their fresh ideas.
What do you like least about teaching?
Meaningless paperwork, and not having enough time to teach everything I'd like to teach and have my students learn. Also, standardized testing.
What is the most challenging part about teaching?
Fitting everything in to the time I have and designing learning opportunities that meet the needs of all students.
What are some of the goals you set for students?
To develop responsibility and to become self-motivated learners and readers. To read every day. Finally, I want them to begin a lifetime love of learning.
How do you handle a student who doesn't focus well?
Keeping them busy and interested.
What do you tell parents about being involved in their children's education?
As a parent, your children should be the most important thing in your life. As a country and society, I believe we need to support parents and families. Parents are children's first and best teachers and they need our support.
Are students feeling more pressure to succeed today?
We are asking children to grow up very fast. High-stakes testing and the pace of life today doesn't allow children to have the freedom to play that we had years ago.
Walk us through a typical day for you?
I am the first to arrive at Symons. This means I must make several stops before I arrive at my room. I must turn off the security alarm, warm up the copier and then head to my classroom to prepare things for the day.
Before school, you can usually find me preparing materials at the computer, designing PowerPoint presentations to introduce new concepts or grading papers.
Obviously, I'm working with students during the day. In the evening, unfortunately I still might be preparing materials at the computer, reading professional books to upgrade my skills or grading papers. I enjoy walking or working out with my husband, and I spend the final minutes of every day reading for pleasure.
How has your job changed over the years?
The pressure and demands on teaching and learning have become greater in the last 30 years. The most frustrating thing for me is the lack of time and the explosion of things students must have mastered by the end of each grade. We have more things to teach and learn, but fewer minutes to teach and learn. We need a longer school year and a longer day with fewer interruptions.
What do you like most about teaching in Milan?
The supportive families and caring parents who are willing to help with everything.
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