I often tell the story of my humble teaching beginnings as a reminder of my growth as an educator. I began my teaching career as a grade 6-8, multilevel, multigrade inclusive teacher in Long Beach, California. It was the first class of its kind in Long Beach USD, and like many bright-eyed, naive, and novice teachers, I was determined to succeed. My new experience was a culture shock, unlike anything I had ever experienced before, having grown up and gone to school in Mississippi.
As a new teacher in a new state with little experience, I was unprepared for the diverse classroom I encountered. Students from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds, as well as students with learning disabilities and behavioral problems, challenged me in ways I had never imagined.
