March 1 was Employee Appreciation Day! We are celebrating our team members all month long by sharing their stories. Read more about Katrina Ring, a lively and collaborative Teacher at The Learning Spectrum’s Central campus.
What is your favorite thing about working here?
My favorite part about working for TLS is getting the opportunity to teach children in a way that the public school system may not be able to provide. I truly enjoy being able to teach the children in a non-traditional way to meet their unique needs and show others that they can learn, just in a different way.
What keeps you coming to work each day?
Honestly, I come to work every day knowing that the schedule and routine may be the same, but something amazing is almost guaranteed to happen. Whether that is child using their communication device for the first time to tell you their needs, or even as simple as a student using their fine motor skills to open a bag of chips. Big or small, these are moments that remind me I am making a difference.
How do you make an impact on students’ lives?
I feel that I make an impact on students’ lives by forming strong relationships with them which lets them know they can trust me. This trust leads to them wanting to do their absolute best. My outgoing and vibrant personality shows the children that even though I have expectations and rules, I still want to have fun while I am teaching. I think this mindset engages the children and allows them to see how learning is fun!
Last year, we rolled out our BetterTogether guiding principles. Which one of our values resonates with you most personally and why?
The value that I resonate with the most is collaborative. Education is constantly changing with new ideas, strategies, and ways to help students gain the skills they need to be successful. In my classroom I believe that all the teachers are a team. One person does not know everything based off their background, knowledge, or degree. I think you must be able to collaborate with different people and maybe even do something outside of your comfort zone for a successful classroom.
What does a “day in the life” look like for your role?
A day in the life for me involves a lot of singing and dancing. It includes many visuals along with positive reinforcement to keep the children excited and motivated. Also, maybe a Starbucks drink (or two)!
Can you talk a little bit about your career trajectory and what led you to where you are now?
I have always enjoyed working with children. I have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Kent State University. Over almost 20 years, I have worked in the public school system and childcare settings and then decided to change special education. I have been working at TLS for five years.
What has been your proudest moment or accomplishment in your role?
My proudest accomplishment is when I completed my RESA program for my degree.
What is something about you that not many people know?
I was four months premature when I was born – I weighed 1 pound and 10 ounces!