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Earlier this month, we had the opportunity to hear back from one of our past students! Jalana Robinson completed the American Board program in 7 months and is now teaching at Genesis Promise Academy in Kansas City, Missouri. Here’s what Jalana had to say:<\/p>\n
Where are you originally from?<\/strong><\/p>\n Carrollton, MO<\/p>\n Tell us about your professional background and experience (etc. previous profession, job experience, alma maters, major\/minor)?<\/strong><\/p>\n My background includes over seven years in higher education where I did academic, career and immigration advising. I also was an adjunct instructor for Learning Strategies (a study skills course for academic at-risk students) and Health Sciences Seminar (a professional development course for Health Sciences majors).<\/p>\n I have a Master\u2019s in Education from the University of Missouri, and a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences from the University of Glamorgan in Wales, United Kingdom.<\/p>\n Why did you choose the teaching profession?<\/strong><\/p>\n I always wanted to teach. Even when I was a little kid I would line my stuffed animals up in a row, pretend they were students and proceed to teach them out of a teacher\u2019s manual my mom had. My mom graded papers for a local elementary teacher, so we always had teacher\u2019s manuals around the house. In college, I was persuaded to take a different route with my major. After college, I substitute taught as I was job hunting, and the very first class I subbed in made me want to be a teacher. I continued to sub off and on for several years and explored getting my teacher certification. However, all avenues required between two to three years of college coursework along with observation and student teaching hours that would not allow me to work full-time as I needed. I longed to be a teacher and kept researching alternative options until I came across the American Board program which allowed me to pursue my yearning to teach.<\/p>\n How have you merged your real-life experiences with teaching?<\/strong><\/p>\n Before working with K-12 students, I had the unique opportunity to work as an academic adviser that helped teach college students how to prepare for college. Every day, I try to instill in my students what it takes now to prepare for college.<\/p>\n I also traveled and worked with individuals from a lot of different cultures. These are experiences I like to share where I can in the classroom.<\/p>\n How did you hear about the American Board program?<\/strong><\/p>\n I was at a college info session for a teacher certification program when they mentioned the American Board program. I immediately went home and researched it and attended an info session by Kim Polk the next week.<\/p>\n Why did you decide to have American Board help certify you out of all the available programs?<\/strong><\/p>\n The American Board program was the most realistic option for me to complete while working full-time, and the most cost effective.<\/p>\n How long did it take you to complete the program?<\/strong><\/p>\n About 7 months<\/p>\n What did you enjoy about the program?<\/strong><\/p>\n That it was all online and at my pace.<\/p>\n What have been your most positive teaching experiences?<\/strong><\/p>\n The most positive teaching experiences have been finding ways for struggling students to understand concepts, and then watching them catch on and seeing their self-confidence build!<\/p>\n What challenges have you encountered as a teacher?<\/strong><\/p>\n Working in an inner-city charter school has been very challenging because of the behavioral and emotional issues the students bring to the classroom.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.americanboard.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/MissouriTeachers_5.jpg\")
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