Profile of the Month - August 2007 Grace Awantang

Grace Awantang is a member of the Mississippi Teacher Corps Class of 2006. Grace graduated from Macalester College in 2006 with a double major in Anthropology and Biology.  Grace grew up in continental Africa, including Nigeria and Egypt.  For high school Grace attended St. Andrews School in Middletown, DE.  Grace currently teaches Biology II, Human Anatomy, and Science Skills Reasoning at Raymond High School in Raymond, MS.  She also coaches Track and Field and Cross-Country.

Why did you join the Mississippi Teacher Corps?

Now is not a good time to ask me that (beginning of the school year).  I wanted to teach, I wanted a new experience, I wanted to help others, and I wanted to help students learn science.

What has been the biggest challenge?

Knowing when to leave your work at work.  Also, learning how to deal with students and student behavior.  Some of the students can be disrespectful.  Getting set-up in a new place and making that transition from a full-time student to a full-time teacher.

What has been the biggest reward?

Knowing that I’m doing a good job.  Trying my hardest.  Being there for my students.  At the start of my second year, some of my students came up and gave me a hug.  This let me know that they are glad I came back.

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The Mississippi Teacher Corps is the most competitive teaching program in the country. The two-year program, designed for non-education majors, recruits college graduates to teach in the Mississippi Delta and offers a host of benefits, including teacher training and certification, a full scholarship for a master's degree in education, job placement that includes full pay and benefits and, most importantly, the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students in one of the poorest areas of the country.