I am so excited to feature another talented teacher from Tooele County School District. Becky Darling is a talented math teacher and I have been fortunate to run into her at several education conference across the state. Read on to learn more about her teacher journey.
Where did you complete your teacher prep? Utah State University
Where have you taught in your teaching career? My career has been in Tooele County School District. I taught at Overlake Elementary and am currently expanding the mathematical minds of students at Clarke N. Johnsen Jr. High School
What is the funniest thing a student has ever said? “I’m sorry Mrs. Darling, I don’t get fractions. I know I was supposed to learn them last year, but I didn’t think they were important, so I didn’t pay attention.”
What advice would you give to new teachers? Don’t forget to take time for yourself and your family. You are important too.
Describe any experience you have had in education policy. I have had experience in rolling policy out, but not in writing policy.
What’s the biggest change you would like to see in education? I would like to see teachers respected as the educated professionals that we are.
Why did you choose to become an educator and why do you choose to stay in the profession? When I was in the 8th grade, my family was homeless and struggling. My parents weren’t always around and I felt invisible. A teacher noticed and made me feel like someone cared. That teacher saved my life and put me on the path to success. I left the corporate world to become a teacher and have been in the profession for 8 years. I see me in some of these students. They need to know that someone cares.
Anything else we should know? I love teaching and am blessed that I was able to pursue this passion. I thank my dad for finding a way to make my dream come true. He would hassle me about becoming a teacher as I worked in my corporate cubby. As a single mom (who later remarried), I would reply that if he could find a way to pay for it, I would go. Well, he did, in the form of life insurance. In October of 2006, my father died in an accident. In 2007, I quit my corporate job and started college.
Wow. Becky you are an incredible person and teacher. Thank you for sharing your story with us and thank you for teaching and caring for Utah students.
The Utah Teacher 