Kelloggsville — The irony of planning to pursue engineering in college and then becoming a math teacher who teaches science, technology, engineering and math at Kelloggsville Middle School is not lost on Grady Giem.
“I really think this is a better fit for me, teaching kids about engineering and letting them have the opportunity I had to explore the field and get excited about it,” said the 2018 Kelloggsville graduate.
Giem’s enthusiasm for teaching STEM — especially robotics — was clear as he described the capabilities of robots and how his students interact with them. As the school’s broadcast instructor as well, he wrapped up a recent classroom tour with a stop in the middle school’s broadcast room.
“I always thought it would be cool to come back to Kelloggsville to teach,” Giem said, noting that the middle school STEM position opened up while he was student teaching.
“I feel a lot happier here,” he added. “It’s easy to feel comfortable in a school that raised you.”
‘It takes a big heart and some courage, but if you believe you might be up to the task, then dive in. … Being a teacher is immensely rewarding.’
— Grady Giem, middle school teacher
Why do you teach? “I teach because I want to make a difference in the lives of our youth. Many of us likely remember having a teacher who inspired us, or helped us to become better. My goal is to someday be that for someone, or multiple someones.”
What is your biggest motivator that keeps you excited about teaching? “The biggest motivator keeping me excited about teaching is the interactions, both with my fellow staff members and, of course, the students. Every staff member in the building is there for the same reason as you, and it is an awesome and supportive feeling. The students have the potential to drive you crazy, but more so have potential to be bright spots in your daily life who you always look forward to seeing.”
Why science, technology, engineering and math? What’s the best/most interesting thing about it? “I teach many different subjects in STEM. What I love about STEM, though, is how much there is to learn, for the students and myself. Every single day I am learning a new skill and then getting to teach that skill to my students. It is an awesome spot to be in, and unlike any other classes in the building.”
What are some of the biggest challenges in your role and how do you strive to meet them? “I think that the biggest challenge will always be trying to reach every student in the room. You have a room with 30 different students, each with their own sense of person and ways of learning, and it is your job to make sure that they all walk away feeling that they have learned something. To that end, I am always reflecting on and improving my day-to-day practices, taking feedback I get from peers and students, and putting it into my teaching.”
What’s the most amazing/notable/interesting thing about your students? “I think the most amazing thing about our students is their ability to improve and overcome. We may not all remember, but it’s not easy being a middle school student. Yet, despite how challenging it is, our students find a way to come here and learn and have fun and build relationships, and I get to watch many of them improve themselves throughout the course of a year.”
What would you say to someone considering teaching as a profession? “If you think you have the capacity to teach, then teach. Students need people who want to be around them and want to help them learn. It takes a big heart and some courage, but if you believe you might be up to the task then dive in, because I can honestly say that despite the challenges, being a teacher is immensely rewarding.”
Read more from Kelloggsville:
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