An Interview With Sandra Meek
Christelle Dawson
Not getting paid to get up early!
Sandra Meek went to the University of Wisconsin in Madison and got her Bachelor of science and nursing. She started teaching seminary 13 years ago. She has had a variety of what grades she has taught, ranging from freshmen, 9th grade, to seniors, 12th grade. She has worked at different locations as well. The classes here in Keller either start at 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, or 7:00. She currently only teaches my class which is the 7:00 class. She gets up every day early and get ready to teacher us!
Where we sit
This is one half of the classroom where some of us sit. Every Sunday we have to set up the tables and chairs, then every Friday we have to take everything down because it is at our church and they have to use the room for classes on Sunday.
Hymnals
Every single day after class a nice young man who is in the class at this time will clean up the room for Sandy by pushing in all the chairs, picking up all the trash, and by lining up the hymn books.
Teaching Spot
Every morning Sandra will stand up here and teach us a wonderful and planned lesson to help us in our future lives.
What she actually does
Sandra's Biggest Challenge
Sandra Meek's biggest challenge as a teacher of this class would be class participation. Since the class is early in the morning some students may be sleeping or be on their phones on social media, but she was to try to find new ways for them to participate and not be asleep or on their phones. She wants it to be a fun place to go every morning that everyone looks forward to, and where they can all feel the spirit at the same time. Yet on a scale of 1-10 with ten being the highest she would need an 8 of self motivation. Mostly just needing the motivation to get up in the morning.
What duties are associated with this occupation?
Sandra said she would have to prepare and present lessons, with that sometimes meaning using PowerPoint presentations. She would have to have visual interest and interactive projects. Then for duties not in the job description but she should have to develop a relationship of trust with the students.
Advice Given
Sandra's advice for someone wanting to teach would be to learn to have confidence in speaking and presenting materials. Then to learn to be clear and concise. Then most importantly understanding the material to be presented.
One Typical Day as a Seminary Teacher
She said "get up early, present lesson, clean up room, prepare materials and lessons, copies, interest simulators review lesson and visuals etc.". She doesn't have a super hard time with her job. She may also have to keep us motivated by bringing food which she may have to go buy or make for us, usually breakfasts. Then whenever one of us has a birthday she will bring some type of breakfast food.
Rewards Coming From the Seminary Point of View
Her rewards from teaching seminary with the Church Educational System with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would be the whole process of helping students understand materials, and with how it effects their lives and choices, and seeing them grow. Sandy said "I get great joy from every step in the process".