It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and we are excited to highlight our incredible programs, alumni, and students who are making a difference as educators.
UOTeach Alumni Spotlight: Kelly Ferguson
"The most significant things that have influenced my practice have come from getting out there and listening to the needs of our community. Keeping things place-based keeps me on task and the students engaged." —Kelly Ferguson
Meet Kelly Ferguson, a UOTeach Alumni. Kelly didn't always know she wanted to be an educator, but discovered a passion for it when she had to teach as part of her graduate fellowship. When she decided to pursue education, Kelly knew she wanted a position that afforded her the liberty of creating curriculum that was problem-based and hands-on.
Kelly had her first teaching job at Cal Young middle school during the distance-learning year of the pandemic, and now teaches at Kalapuya High School in Bethel School District where she works with high school students and has also aided in the development environmental science curriculum.
What inspired you to pursue a career in education?
I never saw myself as an educator. But I was “forced” to teach as part of a graduate fellowship and discovered that I really liked it. I had to do it my way, though … as a young student who was always asking ‘why are we doing this?’ and ‘why is this important?’, I knew that if I was going to do education, I would need to seek out a position that afforded me the liberty of creating curriculum that was problem-based and hands-on. And then there’s my own selfish desire to continue learning myself.
What has your career journey looked like?
My first long-term job was as a river guide on California rivers. A good job if you are the forever academic because it was only during the summers. Meanwhile, I did a master’s of Science degree and worked doing geology research in Alaska. When we moved to Eugene and started a family, that was when I seriously considered teaching. I did the UOTeach program, had my first teaching job at Cal Young middle school during the distance-learning year of the pandemic, and have taught at Kalapuya High School in Bethel School District ever since.
What do you find most rewarding and most challenging about teaching?
Most rewarding: seeing students achieve their goals and working hard to get there. Especially when they put themselves out there in the community. Most challenging: work-life balance. I will never be a good enough parent and teacher at the same time.
What advice would you give to current students who are considering a career in education?
I would tell them to stay true to their ‘why’ … authenticity is the harbinger of good teaching. Also, sometimes your ‘why’ comes to you as you teach so you just gotta go for it!
How do you stay motivated and continue to grow as a teacher?
I stay motivated by continuing to involve myself and the students in our community. The most significant things that have influenced my practice have come from getting out there and listening to the needs of our community. Keeping things place-based keeps me on task and the students engaged.