You’ve seen her shine in the Lip Sync show and know her lately as the force behind Murch International Night, but did you know that Alyssa Lipshie Pinks can really sing? She studied as a vocalist in college and still performs on occasion. She came to Murch in 1995 as a second-grade teacher, and then taught fourth grade before becoming a first-grade teacher. Here she fills us in on the epiphany that led her to become a teacher, how she combines her psychology and vocal background in the classroom, and where you might be able to hear her belt out a couple of tunes – after school hours, that is.
What was your life before Murch?
I grew up in Setauket, NY, which is on Long Island. When I graduated from the University of Richmond with BA in psychology and vocal performance, I wanted to be a children's therapist. But that requires lots of postgraduate work, and I wasn't ready to keep going at that point. So, I worked in opinion research at Northwestern University and then in Washington, DC.
What did that entail?
Opinion research involves analyzing statistics and writing good questions for clients to find out information. My main job was surveying, compiling, and analyzing results of professor-satisfaction surveys at Northwestern. I had to submit surveys to every student in every course, collect, and analyze the data and then write a general report about the professor for a yearly publication. The university sold the publication to students so they could choose which teachers they wanted for their courses. This work can be done for politicians, companies with new products, and so forth. The work was interesting, but…
There was something missing?
I still wanted to work as a child psychologist. I visited a friend of mine who was working with developmentally challenged adults. As I sat with a young woman who was frightened and upset, I suddenly realized that I could help children without being a psychologist. I decided that working with children to empower them and teach them was the answer. Starting that day I applied to graduate school and eventually earned a master’s degree in education from American University. I have never had a moment’s doubt that I made the right choice! Deep down I always wanted to make a difference in kids' lives. I love to empower them to follow their dreams.
What has been your greatest challenge as a teacher?
To meet all of the needs -- academic and social -- of all of the children I teach. When the students work as a team, support each other, and help each other, the academics follow.
How do you make that happen?
I incorporate lots of movement and hands-on activities to keep students motivated. Lessons usually have several parts and switch from listening to writing to moving to partner work, etc. One example would be the unit on plants. I have the students dissect seeds, plant beans in baggies to predict what will happen first, then observe and record observations. They can dance and act out the way plants grow, write poems and sing songs about plants, and draw scientific diagrams. Finally, we get to planting seeds, measuring them, and doing all that is necessary to keep them alive.
So, you like applying what they’ve learned to real life.
Yes, like one year one of my fourth-grade students was related to a famous news personality, who came in and talked with the students about good research and writing. That was a great moment. It really showed how the work they were doing in the classroom applied to a real world situation.
Having found a way to use your skills as a vocalist?
My favorite free-time activity is singing. Whether at work or home, I constantly sing. I am a performer at heart. I especially love to perform in front of an audience. I enjoy incorporating my love of singing and dancing into my teaching. I especially like to read aloud to my students every day using all of the voices and sound effects I can, to bring the stories to life.
Maybe we need a Murch drama club.
I would love to see drama instruction and more dramatic performances at Murch. I know that what it takes to get ready for a performance is great preparation for everything students will do in life. Students need to concentrate, listen to each other, work together, and have fun!
Anywhere we can see you sing outside of school?
My friend and I have a small business called Two Teachers, which entertains at young children’s birthday parties. We also put on a free kids’ concert at the Broad Branch Market last September. Every once in a while I sing at weddings, jam sessions, or impromptu get-togethers.
I think I know the answer to this one, but how would you finish this sentence: “If I weren’t a teacher, I’d be...”
...an entertainer.
-- Donna LaPorte Scharpf
Back
|
