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Teacher Feature
Nancy Nelson, Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher, Western Oaks Middle School
Nancy Nelson is in her 11th year of teaching, all as a Family and Consumer Sciences educator for 6th, 7th and 8th graders at Western Oaks Middle School. Below, Nelson talks about how “ home ec” has changed through the years and what it is that makes her job so satisfying.
"Home Ec" has changed so much over the years. Even the name has changed to Family and Consumer Sciences. We still teach cooking and sewing, but there's so much more. The curriculum now includes budgeting, home safety, community service, ethics, career planning and much more.
The Family and Consumer Sciences program teaches students something very important: how to be self-supporting adults who can become productive members of society. It also connects core subject learning into real life context. For instance, it is important to be able to do math correctly so that you can take care of your finances. It is important to use correct grammar, punctuation and spelling when filling out applications and writing resumes.
Students learn how to make good choices, manage their resources, follow directions and get along with others while in the Family and Consumer Sciences classroom. All of these skills will help them be successful no matter what they are doing in the future.
I chose to become a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher because when I ventured out on my own, I wasn't equipped with the tools I needed to make a smooth transition from being dependent on my parents to being self-sufficient. I took what I learned the hard way and try to help others make that transition just a little easier. Life is hard sometimes, and it would be nice to have some tools to get through those times.
In my classroom, I know a child is learning when we do a hands-on project and they see the results of their efforts. All efforts are not successful, but the students certainly learn more from their mistakes than from doing everything correctly all of the time.
My favorite lesson of all time has to be the budgeting activity that we do in the 8th grade classes. Students are asked to make a wish list of all of the things they want in life such as cars, homes, careers, income, etc. We research what these things would cost. After their research, we do a budget for someone who only makes minimum wage. They see that they cannot get those wonderful things in life when they can't even afford to feed themselves. It shows them how education, dedication and ambition are so important to success. Also, they seem to realize that they had better be nice to their parents so they have that financial and emotional support to reach their goals.
One aspect of my job I really enjoy is being kind of the building mom. Most students and teachers realize that if they need something done, they can just ask. From washing a hoodie that has been the victim of a lunchroom accident or repairing a favorite pair of pants to getting an after school snack, I'm there. It's nice to be needed.
One of my favorite things about teaching middle school students has to be that every day is different and some kids are absolutely hilarious and have the best senses of humor. You can't help but like them.
I have seen so many of my former students in the workforce. Now that is success. Also, students have come back to visit and say that they use the things that they learned in my class every single day. Some of my kids come back and invite me to their weddings and graduations from high school or college. Some have even come back to introduce their spouses and children. That is a great honor.
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