Perhaps like many children, one of Nani Wall's favorite activities to do with the neighborhood kids when she was growing up was to play school.
However, this simple childhood game turned out to be much more than make believe play. For Wall, becoming a teacher was always the plan.
Originally from Washington, Wall earned her bachelor's degree in education at Eastern Washington University before moving to California where she received her teaching credential. Wall settled into a teaching position in Southern California before a good friend of hers moved up north to take a job as a principal in the Woodland area.
"I was living in a little desert town at the time called California City which didn't have a lot going on," Wall said. "I was looking to move somewhere else and we had friends up here. My friend said 'hey, the district is hiring' so we came up and interviewed and I got a place at a school up here."
Wall taught at Maxwell Elementary School for a year before moving to Tafoya Elementary. After being in the Woodland area for around eight years, Wall began looking at teaching opportunities abroad.
"I've always wanted to teach abroad, so I was looking online for things and there was this organization called English First that was advertising for teachers," Wall explained. "I signed up and they set up an interview and it all fell into place rather quickly."
Wall moved to China to teach ages two to six at a school called California Kids Club. Wall explained that while that would be considered preschool in the United States, in China she was technically a kindergarten teacher.
"It was started by a California couple that had kids over there and they wanted to start a school," Wall explained.
Wall eventually became the director of California Kids Club for five years before deciding it was time to come home. She started at Sci-Tech Academy upon returning to the area in 2016 and has been there ever since.
While Wall has taught several different grade levels, she explained that she enjoys kindergarten because she loves having the opportunity to see them grow.
"They're so curious about so many things and not that all kids don't grow, but in kindergarten a lot of them will come in with no letters and sounds," Wall emphasized. "I just like to see the amount of growth they can make and the curiosity and excitement about learning. They're just fun."
Wall said she likes to bring a mix of fun and structure into her classroom.
"I would say I'm a little bit goofy, but I'm pretty routine set," Wall said. "I don't treat them like they're babies because they're not. I have high expectations for them and expect them to reach it, but also have a silly side where we can be goofy and playful and bring the fun in as well."
Sci-Tech Academy Principal Maria Martinez said Wall "goes above and beyond to ensure that every student feels supported and empowered to reach their full potential."
"Nani Wall possesses a remarkable talent for fostering connections with students, parents, families and the broader community," Martinez praised. "Her classroom is not just a place of learning; it's a sanctuary where students feel seen, heard and valued. Through her warm demeanor, genuine interest and unwavering support, she creates an environment where students thrive not only academically but also emotionally and socially.
"She embodies the very essence of commitment, dedication and extraordinary ability in building relationships within our school community."
Martinez also noted that Wall serves as a mentor to two new teachers, where she shares "her wealth of experience, insights and strategies to help them navigate the challenges of their profession."
"Her mentorship goes beyond mere instruction; it's a testament to her commitment to nurturing the next generation of educators who, like her, are dedicated to making a positive difference in students' lives," Martinez said.
Outside of the classroom, Wall is married with two daughters and five grandchildren and a bonus grandchild who is "technically a cousin but she's like a granddaughter." In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, reading murder mysteries, helping her cousin at Girl Scout events and camping.
With all of her experience teaching at different schools and abroad, Wall said her favorite part has always been the relationships she's built with her colleagues, mentors and students. When her students leave her at the end of the year, she said she wants them to take away an appreciation for education.
"I want them to take away a love of learning and a kind of growth mindset," Wall said. "I want them to know that they can continue growing and changing and learning and that it never stops for them."
No comments:
Post a Comment