A Shot of Youth in the Soquel High Staff: Q&A with New Teacher

Sarah Wellberg, 23, is one of new teachers, and she's ready to kiss her student-teaching days goodbye and assume her first full-time teaching role.

Wellberg studied math at the , in 2006 and received her master's degree last month. She's eager to show her students just how fun math can be and wants students to know that every person can be successful at the subject with a little motivation.

Capitola-Soquel Patch had the opportunity to chat with Wellberg last week. Check out the conversation below.

Capitola-Soquel Patch: What's your background in education?

Sarah Wellberg: This is the first school I'll be teaching at, and I'm really excited, but also kind of nervous. I'm really glad I got the job at , because I was a student teacher at and really enjoyed working in that district. I'm also glad to have something close by, because I live in Santa Cruz, and a lot of teachers I've spoken with have said they had to travel to Watsonville or Salinas to find work.

Patch: What excites you about teaching?

Wellberg: I really like getting to know the students and seeing them grow over the course of the year. I think that's the most fun part for me, is getting to know the kids.

Patch: Why did you want to become a teacher?

Wellberg: One of my aunts is a teacher. She actually worked at the school where I went to elementary school. I decided that I wanted to be a teacher in kindergarten. I got to school and was like, 'This is great; I want to do this,' and then I realized I really loved math and started tutoring friends who weren't as enthusiastic about it. So that's all I really wanted to do since I was a small child.

Patch: Did any teachers you had growing up inspire your career path?

Wellberg: I really loved my kindergarten teacher. We sang songs every day. She was the sweetest woman I've ever met in my life. I remember her being the most kind and supportive and fun individual. I loved going to school every day and being around her and my friends.

Patch: What do you like about teaching high school

Wellberg: I don't think I could ever teach elementary, because they haven't really developed their personality yet, and with middle schoolers, it's a hard transitional time. I remember hating middle school and never wanting to go back. It seems that high school kids have more of an idea about who they are and what they're doing, and I feel like they're just a lot more interesting to work with. 

Patch: What do you hope to bring to the classroom? 

Wellberg: I did just finish the master's program so I've learned about all the latest techniques, such as the benefits of doing group work and more project-based work. So I'm hoping to incorporate those techniques.

Encouragement is also very essential, especially for lower-age groups. There are people who are not self-motivated for various reasons, so reaching out to them and letting them know they can do their work is really important. For instance, some students believe they can't learn math, and I believe they can if it's presented in a way that makes sense to them and they just do their best. One girl actually told me that I was the only person who told her to just do the best she could.