As school starts, it’s not just the students who are starting fresh—many teachers are starting new jobs and classrooms as well. To feature one of Urbana High School’s newest teachers, we took the opportunity to interview Lauren Specht, a first-year Algebra teacher, and get a little more background information on her through our beginning of the year survey.
Ms. Specht spent the majority of her childhood in Frederick, Maryland, and attended Linganore High School. After graduation, she proceeded to advance her education at Salisbury University, which is located near the beach. “I chose Salisbury University mainly because it was next to the beach, and I really loved the campus vibe,” Lauren said. It was where she decided to major in mathematics, which is an important step to becoming a teacher.
When asked what inspired her to teach, Ms. Specht gave a simple and heartfelt response. “I started out as a substitute teacher, just testing it for a little bit of time. But I liked it—I felt good making a difference in students’ lives,” she explained. She recalled one particularly vivid experience when a struggling student suddenly had what she termed a “lightbulb” moment—the moment where it all clicked. “Seeing that change happen is what really cemented for me that teaching was the path,” she said.
Ms. Specht also touched on some of her hopes for the school year, specifically as it pertains to how she’ll relate to her students. “I’ve been focusing on incorporating more hands-on activities,” she said. “I’ve found that lecturing for long periods isn’t very effective for most students. Getting them involved helps the material stick better.” Another change she’s implementing involves grading. “I’m putting more emphasis on effort in classwork, rather than just accuracy. Homework is meant to be practice, so it’s okay if it’s not perfect,” Ms. Specht explained. Her hope is that by the end of the year, her students will feel more confident with their math and even enjoy math even more.
Like any teacher, Ms. Specht occasionally faces disagreements with students. When asked about how she handles disagreements, she offered a thoughtful reply. “It really depends on the situation,” she said. “Typically, I begin by speaking to the student in question in an effort to understand what’s happening. If it’s a more extensive problem involving several students, I deal with it with the entire class. And if it gets out of control, I go through the school rules so that the atmosphere remains respectful to all.
Wrapping up the interview, Ms. Specht shared a personal desire aside from teaching. “Travel has always been my dream,” she smiled. “I am hoping to have the chance to experience new things this year.” Asked if there was something else she would like the students to know, she simply said, “I don’t think so, but I am really excited to teach you all this year.”
Ms. Specht’s enthusiasm and thoughtful instructional approach already demonstrates that Urbana High is lucky to have her as part of their staff. To a great year ahead!
