Watch CBS News

Sacramento Educator Stresses Important Qualities For Future Teachers

Jeaninne Escallier Kato is a veteran California public school educator. For the past 13 years, she has been a bilingual 4th grade teacher at First Street School in Lincoln, California. She has a Bachelor of Science in Human Services, a Master in Education and three teaching credentials. Her education has allowed her to teach students and other teachers, write articles for education and publish a children's book.

Sacramento-Education
(Photo Courtesy of Jeaninne Escallier Kato)

You've been a teacher for 36 years. How does it feel to retire from the classroom?

"The majority of my teaching experience has been at the middle and high school levels; specifically, with at-risk populations. Teaching fourth grade in a Latino school has been the highlight of my career because I learned Spanish and adopted Mexico as my second home. I am proud of the programs I have instituted in all of the schools where I have taught. I am walking away from an incredible career with my head held high, it has been an extremely bittersweet year for me.

It's hard to leave a calling; teaching is who I am. I started my teaching career right out of college. I always knew I would be an educator; learning was my lifeline out of poverty and a blended, chaotic family. School was the place where I flourished. My heroes have always been teachers. I was born to teach."

What is your advice for future educators?

"My advice to someone considering teaching is: 1.) make sure you understand the ramifications of being a great teacher – long hours and working on weekends, maintain a strong character and accept meager pay; 2.) know your legal rights when confronted with angry parents and ineffective administrators; and 3.) have a strong sense of yourself to keep your students safe within a firm and fair classroom climate. If you feel confident to face these realities, teaching can be the most meaningful thing you will ever do in life. You will make a difference."

What unique challenges do seasoned workers face?

"I am not an expert on how seasoned workers can overcome employment challenges, but I know from experience that even when some years beat me to a pulp, I never gave up. I returned to face each year anew. And, things do get better. Because I stayed in a demanding career, I am retiring with a good pension and I am young enough to seek new horizons. When I think of the lives I have affected, every moment of sacrificing blood, sweat and tears is quickly forgotten. I can die knowing why I was put on this planet. I believe that if someone is hungry enough, they can find employment doing what they love."

Megan Bowyer is a freelance writer in search of the best food and drinks that Sacramento has to offer. You can find her at any number of dive bars or trendy restaurants; just look for the short blonde feeding the jukebox. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.