Butler Catholic School Teacher Wins Distinction

September 25, 2023

We love sharing news about the many accomplishments our students are achieving at Butler Catholic School! But we also need to recognize the staff and faculty who help them achieve their goals by offering insight, guidance, and patience in learning.

Recently, we had the opportunity to celebrate one of our teachers for her work and dedication to supporting students in the classroom! Elizabeth Baptiste, who teaches fourth grade, won first place out of 26 submissions in the 2023 Teaching Our Next Generation Essay Contest hosted by NexTier Bank!

Mrs. Baptiste’s essay analyzed her journey into teaching and identified a defining moment in her career. Below is her story!
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As a student in college earning my teaching degree, my days were often filled with completing practicums in numerous elementary schools. Interestingly enough, after close to fifteen years of teaching, this moment continues to stick with me. A moment where the teacher became the student.

In the spring of 2008, I was assigned to a practicum at a school for students with special needs. One student had captured my attention from the very beginning. She suffered from prenatal alcohol syndrome. While her classmates chatted and laughed in the classroom, she spent her time alone. Her home life had made it difficult for her to trust and depend on anyone. Despite her reserved demeanor, it was evident that she held a deep passion for music, pouring her heart and soul into singing. Her ultimate goal was to become a famous singer like “Hannah Montana,” the Disney character she admired.

As we neared the end of the school year, the annual Talent Show was announced. The student’s eyes lit up with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. She was ready to sign up, but we both knew that she didn’t have anyone in her family who supported her endeavors. My heart ached for her, recognizing the significance of this opportunity in her life.

As the date of the talent show drew near, my schedule became increasingly chaotic. There were meetings with my professors, practicums at other schools, and evening classes that seemed to conspire against me, threatening to keep me away from the talent show. However, a deep sense of responsibility tugged at my heart. I knew that my presence could make a difference – not just in her life, but in her perception of the world around her.

The day of the talent show arrived, and I found myself torn between my commitments and my desire to be there for her. After much juggling and rearranging, I made it to the school auditorium just in time. As I slipped into the back row, I saw her on stage, microphone in her hands. The melody she sang seemed to resonate not just through the hall but through the depths of my soul.

Yet, what truly caught my attention was the surprise in her eyes as they scanned the audience. She seemed to be searching for someone – perhaps a glimpse of the family she so desperately wished to have there. Our eyes met, and I saw a mix of disbelief and joy wash over her face as she spotted me. In that instant, I knew I had made the right choice.

In all of the classes I had taken to receive my degree, it took a nine-year-old to teach me the most important lesson in teaching. She taught me that as a teacher, my role was not limited to delivering lessons and assessing knowledge; it was about being a source of unwavering support for my students.