Laura Spiegelhalter
DuPont Manual
High School
Louisville, KY

Crystal Dick
Corbin
High School
Corbin, KY

Billie Kelly
Clark Moore
Middle School Richmond, KY

Brenda Owen
Kentucky Middle School Teacher of the Year Lexington, KY

Shannon Foster
Wayne County
High School
Monticello, KY

Dr. Jackie Jensen : Why did you decide to become a family and consumer sciences teacher?

Laura Spiegelhalter : I wanted to be involved with high school students in teaching about life skills and lessons. I started out in social work. As a school social worker, I realized the impact that a teacher has on students. Teachers get to see students every day, and an FCS teacher gets to teach about the things that will most affect students in the near future.

Crystal Dick : As a small child I knew I wanted to be a teacher, but I had no idea what subject I wanted to teach. I enrolled in an FCS class and became involved in FCCLA during high school. I loved it! I soon realized how great it would be to teach a subject that I loved. After that the decision to become an FCS teacher was easy.

Billie Kelly : I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was deciding on a major. I wanted to teach something I would enjoy. I thought about my personal interests and talents, and FCS was a perfect fit.

Brenda Owen : I decided to be a teacher in the fourth grade. Then in the seventh grade I decided to be a Family and Consumer Science teacher, mostly because I loved what we studied. I was introduced to personal and family relationships, and I learned to sew. Family and Consumer Sciences was a challenging course that helped me learn to be a better person. I wanted to share with others what helped to make my life better, and teaching was the outlet I chose.

Shannon Foster : When I first started attending EKU, I majored in psychology because I have always enjoyed working with people. As I started learning more about different majors, I felt that family and consumer sciences education was a better choice for me. I could work with others while teaching them vital life skills.  

Dr. Jackie Jensen : What do you like best about your middle/high school students?

Laura Spiegelhalter : I teach high school students. The thing I like the best is watching them become young adults. They have to face a lot of challenges in today's society. I enjoy hearing their views on life.

Crystal Dick : I enjoy teaching high school students for several reasons. One reason is that with high school students you can treat them more like adults than you can with younger students. As a high school teacher I feel like I have one of the last chances to make a difference in my students' lives. I strive to teach the knowledge and skills that will help them to be successful adults.

Billie Kelly : Students make me feel so young and energetic. I feed off of their energy. They love my subject and I have so much fun teaching them the things they can really use in life.

Brenda Owen : I like their energy level, enthusiasm for learning and desire to want to do more. I enjoy discovering the strengths and weaknesses of individual students and then working to bring out their best. I can teach students skills that they can use for the rest of their lives. I also enjoy watching students grow in their abilities to work in the kitchen labs, to work as a team, and to develop their skills in sewing. In consumer education, I challenge my students to be millionaires. I encourage investing money rather than just saving money. In the careers unit, it is rewarding as I watch the evaluating and thinking of 7th and 8th graders as they choose what career they might want for the future.

Shannon Foster : I enjoy teaching in a high school setting. FCS is an excellent choice for many of the students who prefer hands on learning. I also love collaborating with the preschool and allowing my students to interact with the children as they prepare for future careers. 

Dr. Jackie Jensen : Why are the courses you teach important for students' lives?

Laura Spiegelhalter : I teach multiple courses including Foods, Money Skills, Fashion and Interiors I, Fashion and Interiors II, and Relationships and Parenting. All of these courses have real life curriculum. The students never ask, "Why do I need to know this?" or "When will I ever use this?" It is so clear that everything we teach will help them now and in the future, especially with the relationships and parenting class. Students’ beliefs about relationships and sex are so far off. It is nice to see them learn that it is okay to respect themselves. 

Crystal Dick : One reason I decided to become an FCS teacher is because family and consumer sciences, more than any other subject, prepares students for real life. I teach a Practical Living course for all sophomore students. The class helps them to develop skills for real world living. We cover topics including goal setting and decision making, budgeting, grocery shopping, and basic cooking skills. I believe that the information students learn in my class will help them succeed as adults.

Billie Kelly : I tell my students that they can use everything we learn. They will not have to wait until later in life to apply the material. We learn about relationships, communication, nutrition, and money skills. These topics are so relevant in the day-to-day life of teens.

Brenda Owen : Every area of Family and Consumer Sciences encompasses what real life is all about. Everyone must be able to relate well to others. I don't care how brilliant you are, in order to get along in real life you must get along with others. Everyone must know how to prepare simple meals for themselves and their families. We must eat to survive. Everyone must know how to be a good parent. Even if you are not a parent, we are all caregivers for those around us. Everyone should know something about clothing even if it is just to judge the quality of a well made garment. Everyone uses money. We must invest our money for the future. If we can't manage our money well our family life will suffer. Family and Consumer Sciences courses are a must for everyone.

Shannon Foster : They get to learn real skills and see a finished, desired outcome. 

Dr. Jackie Jensen : What did you like about attending Eastern Kentucky University?

Laura Spiegelhalter: Everything! I loved the campus, the staff, the town, but my professors made it home. The instructors worked with me in every way possible to make sure I got the best education that was tailored to my specific needs. EKU made sure that we would be ready to teach in the real world before we graduated from the program.

Crystal Dick : I liked attending EKU for several reasons. During my freshman year I was able to live at home and attend the EKU Corbin campus. Another reason I liked EKU is because of the small class sizes. I don't remember ever having a class where the teacher did not know students by name. The faculty and staff at EKU made an effort to know the students and to help them in any way that was needed.

Billie Kelly : It is an awesome university with caring, committed teachers. The campus is beautiful and easy to navigate. The FCS department was like a family to me while at EKU.

Brenda Owen : I loved Eastern Kentucky University even though I got homesick at first. The people were friendly, and the campus was beautiful. University Drive in the Fall and Spring was breathtaking, with the leaves changing and the flowers blooming. My professors were willing to give me extra help and opened my eyes to the world around me. 

Shannon Foster : I liked Eastern for a variety of reasons. I enjoyed the FCS courses a great deal, especially child development classes. Further, I started dating my husband who was also an EKU student. 

Dr. Jackie Jensen : What advice do you have for others who are interested in becoming an FCS teacher?

Laura Spiegelhalter : Do it. If you are thinking about becoming an FCS teacher, just do it. Many schools are currently looking for FCS teachers, and there are not enough to go around. With the wide variety of FCS classes to choose from, you will have fun and enjoy teaching. I feel support from others all over the state.

Crystal Dick : I would recommend to others interested in becoming an FCS teacher to go for it! Get involved in student organizations during college. Doing so will help you to network with FCS professionals, which is very helpful when you begin to look for a job! Find a local school and get involved in their FCCLA chapter. By volunteering with their FCCLA chapter you will learn many things that will later help you as an FCCLA advisor. Lastly, find a veteran FCS teacher to "adopt" as your mentor. You can learn many things from a mentor, and you can call on this person for years to come.

Billie Kelly : It is a wonderful, fulfilling career and one of the best decisions I ever made for myself! I have been teaching 19 years and it feels like I just started. I love my profession and am so proud of my degree and experiences at EKU!

Brenda Owen : Start thinking about college early. Focus on your grades because high school grades can help you earn scholarship money. Take Family and Consumer Sciences classes in high school. Join FCCLA in high school. Don't just join! Get involved by being an officer or entering a star event. Doing so will help you network by meeting other students who are interested in the field of family and consumer sciences. You will also meet professionals in the field who may someday help you get a job. And then go to college, earn your degree, and enjoy your chosen profession. And last but not least, don't give up. The road to success may be a little bumpy but the rewards are great!

Shannon Foster : My advice would be to actually observe and talk with FCS teachers in different settings to see if the career is for you. I was lucky because my first resource teacher was excellent! I model a lot of my teaching after her. You have to be organized and a "go-getter" in order to achieve all that’s expected in the teaching profession.

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