Parent Profile: Julianna Bowen
photos by Cristi Hoyt
Julianna is a third grade teacher at St. James Day School; she is married to Patrick Bowen, and they have two beautiful children, Parker and Olivia.
Hometown: Atlanta, Texas
Education: Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from UCA (2009)
Why did you want to become a teacher?
As far back as I can remember I played school in my bedroom and viewed my own teachers with star-struck admiration. Yet when I began my college studies, I responsibly declared a major that would provide a more financially rewarding path. The classes were fine, but my heart just wasn’t in it. The moment I walked into the Education building to make the change, I felt like my life’s long lost puzzle piece resurfaced and clicked right into place. I was home. On crazy days I sometimes joke sarcastically about how I’m “living the dream”, but in all honesty, I truly am! My classroom is my happy place, and I am thankful to wake up each morning with excitement about going to work. That is certainly a dream come true.
How do you meet the needs of all students in a diverse class?
I try to meet every child where they are through differentiated activities. I have a daily workshop time where the kids work on their own tasks, and each child’s assignment is not the same. This provides opportunities for both remediation and extension in a discreet way.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges teachers face in today’s world?
Everyone knows that discipline in schools isn’t what it used to be. For a multitude of reasons, classroom management is a challenging component of teaching in every school across the country. Sociologically we have evolved into an entitled population without the intrinsic motivation that characterized the generation of our grandparents. A challenge for all teachers is igniting that spark within a child that activates their drive and enthusiasm. I’ve never found it buried in a treasure box or hanging from a color-coded chart. For me, relinquishing their dependence on instant gratification and developing an independent motivation is cultivated in a comfortable classroom environment where kids know they are loved unconditionally.
Who was your favorite elementary school teacher and why?
I had several beloved teachers who made school fun and engaging. When my favorites come to mind, I still, as an adult, have warm fuzzy feelings because they made me feel loved. I remember very few lessons they taught or assignments completed, but being valued and feeling comfortable I remember well. That bond made school more enjoyable and enhanced my desire to do well. I also vividly remember the classrooms where this was lacking and the academics felt more tedious. These memories fuel me to make each child feel important and confident. That invaluable bond connects students to the learning and can have a lifelong impact.
What challenges and rewards come with the beginning of the school year?
Teaching is one of the only jobs where you are provided a complete reset annually. As you hug one group goodbye, you are given two months to reflect and revise your methods to make the next year even better than the last. That opportunity is an invaluable chance to refresh your mind and prepare for the next group of children. Starting the year with a new class is just like the beginning of any new relationship. The interaction is slightly awkward until you’re familiar enough with each other to reach the comfort zone. With kids this never takes very long! They reveal their personalities quickly and the bonding is almost immediate.
What do you do, as a parent, to help your own children succeed at school?
I struggle like everyone else to fit homework into our busy evenings. I fall short of my idealized attempts to review concepts at home and regularly opt for fun over forcing extra academics. Instead of treating my home like another classroom, I aim to encourage learning simply by being positive about school. I’m hopeful that my excitement about learning and passion for knowledge will transfer into a positive mindset about their own school experiences.
What are you currently reading?
I read my fair share of scholarly research and brainy nonfiction, but right now I am unashamedly laughing out loud over Jim Gaffigan’s Dad is Fat. This awkwardly titled collection of the comedian’s parenting anecdotes resonates with my summer adventures at home with my own young children. The best antidote for a stressful day of parenting is laughing at someone else’s similar experiences.
What are you reading to your children?
I have a reluctant emergent reader who is just on the cusp of discovering the magic of a fantastic book. I recently splurged on the new illustrated hardcover edition of the first Harry Potter book to introduce him to the imagery and imagination of a well-told fantasy.
