A Teacher's Voice
What's it like to teach in La Canada?

What is it like to teach in La Canada? (from a 1st grade teacher)
What’s it like to teach in La Canada? (from a HS Science teacher)
What is it like teaching in La Canada? (from a HS teacher)
What's great about teaching in La Canada? (from a 2nd grade teacher)

What is it like to teach in La Canada?

It is enjoyable to teach in La Canada.  Part of that joy is the daily challenge.   The beginning of first grade always brings a large variety of abilities.  I have students who are still learning their letters and sounds as well as students who are reading short chapter books.  My challenge is to create lessons that challenge all of my students and help everyone to grow.  I often spend a lot of time creating new lesson plans to meet the needs of my students.  Along with this challenge comes the challenge of high parental expectations.  I am so thankful for the high level of parent involvement; but it can often add hours to my daily schedule to prepare for parent volunteers.  I choose to use the parent involvement because I see the way that it enhances my classroom.  I also love the colleagues that I have in this district.  They are committed to working together to create the most effective learning environment for all students.  I have never worked with a more dedicated teaching staff than here in La Canada.

First grade teacher

What’s it like to teach in La Canada?

Teaching in La Canada is such a positive experience because almost all students come to school with the basic needs of life met so they are ready and eager to learn.  Students achieve at a high level and parents are supportive.  With the high level of support come high expectations for both students and teachers.  Students who progress quickly demand lessons to be planned more often and more creatively which generate more student work to be evaluated.   Reading and scoring 180 lab reports is extremely time consuming as is writing dozens of college and summer program recommendation letters.  It is gratifying to teach such willing and able students, but it does increase the demands and expectations placed on me.

High School Science Teacher

What is it like teaching in La Canada?

Teaching in La Canada is demanding.  I am blessed with 150 of the best and brightest students.  My personal pace is daunting to insure a qualtiy program and product.  I am at school each day by 7 AM, leave at 4 PM and spend four hours each night in preparation, research and correcting.  Friday night and Saturday are mine.  Sunday morning I am up before the newspapers arrive, planning three classes for the next week and continuing the never ending correcting of student work.   Many, many of my colleagues do the same.   We are dedicated and proud to be part of the La Canada family.   Whenever I hear someone day that teachers have it easy with summers off and week long vacations during the year,  I tell them that it is a never ending job.   Even during the summer months, weeks are spent on research, reading and preparation to keep up with changing information. 

What's great about teaching in La Canada?

I love teaching because each day is a new adventure.  I love working with each individual student as they approach a new concept, as the learning unfolds and those special "aha" moments when the concept blooms in technicolor for that student.  I have especially enjoyed teaching in La Canada because the majority of students are eager to learn and their parents are incredibily supportive with their time and energy.  Often when something is needed for the classroom there is someone willing to fill the need. This not only benefits their student, but all of the students in the classroom, sometimes for years to come.

Second Grade Teacher

Last updated: March 8, 2005 - Return to LCTA homepage