Article and portraits by Liz Martinez

Teaching involves more acting than what an actor is required to do according to Lauren Williams.

Lauren wanted to be a teacher or an actress when she grew up. When the time came in high school, she decided teaching was what she wanted to pursue.

“I perform 5 days a week for 7 and a half hours a day,” she said. “My shows (classes) run anywhere from 30 minutes to 90 minutes and my audience size is normally about 25 to 32 students per show.”

Lauren is 22 years old and a first year 6th grade social studies teacher.

When you walk into her classroom, you are surrounded by encouraging messages and world maps. She wears an eager smile and cat shoes to match.

Lauren can’t remember the exact moment she wanted to be a teacher, but she recalls certain interactions that built up to her decision.

“I remember my 4th grade teacher giving me teacher materials that she did not need anymore,” she said. “I went home to set up a school-room in my basement with my stuffed animals.”

Lauren credits the educators she had at St. Matthews, the elementary and middle school she attended in Wilmington, Delaware, for making her want to become a teacher herself.

“My teachers there were the best teachers in the entire world,” she said. “They cared then and have not stopped caring since. I hope that my students feel the same way about me that I do about my old teachers.”

Today, Lauren strives to create a safe, welcoming, and fun place for her students to grow and learn.

“I have my classroom set up in a way that allows for students to learn through talking to their classmates. I try not to be a ‘teacher’ but more of a guide to them,” she said. “I try and guide them to find the answers and questions on their own. 

In this social studies classroom, Lauren and her students believe they are there to learn together, side by side. Social studies is her passion.

“Some of my proudest moments in life involve people who hate social studies. I show them how it can be fun and change their perspective completely,” she said. “When I can make a child love social studies and love coming to school or coming to my class, I have succeeded as a teacher.”

Lauren definitely is succeeding in creating strong bonds with her students.

When they see her in the hallway, they say “Hey, Miss Williams!”

They stop her when she leaves school just to ask if she can come to their basketball game.

They even run up to her and give her a hug if they see her at the mall.

This satisfaction was not easy to obtain. In fact, Lauren says going to school to be a teacher was demanding.

“I think that college is a tough experience for anyone working their way to earn a degree,” she said. “I think that a lot of people think that it will be easy and that you are just learning basics, but I had to relearn everything that I was taught growing up because we teach it differently now.”

During that time, socializing came easy, but work was a struggle for her. Lauren also discusses the difficulties of being a student teacher during that time.

“I was thrown into adult life without being out of college,” she said. “I was doing my job now and not getting paid. It was tough.”

Although she graduated college and now has her own classroom, Lauren doesn’t have much time outside of teaching.

She gets to school at 6:30 in the morning, and leaves at 6:30 at night.

“When I do find time outside of the classroom, I am with my friends or watching a new tv show,” she said. “I enjoy theatre but haven’t had the time or the money to enjoy that recently.”

If you’re thinking about becoming a teacher, Lauren thinks you should go for it.

“Just know that it isn’t easy. Most of my time is spent grading papers, continuing professional development, and planning lessons,” she said.

Her email box is never empty, and she has sleepless nights worrying about her students.

Despite this, she says all of the stress is worth it.

“I would do anything for my students to help them succeed,” she said.

To all the first year teachers like herself, Lauren wants to remind you to take care of yourself.

“Your feet are going to hurt all the time. Buy really comfy shoes. For real, comfort over style,” she said. “Also ice your feet because it makes them feel better.”

Lauren understands that being a new teacher can be difficult, so ask for help when you need it.

“No one is perfect,” she said. “You aren’t alone here and there are people who have been their before willing to help you.”

By the end of the school year, she hopes to have made a postive impact on her students’ lives.

Lauren wants them to understand just how important school is.

“I hope that they can see the potential in themselves that I see in them,” she said.

It’s only the beginning of the school year. All the school supplies are new and have yet to be worn in.

Yet, Lauren knows what she would say to her “end of the school year” self.

“Girl, go take a nap because you did the damn thing!”

Be sure to check out and support Lauren here!

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