Kortni Pullen lets her students know that teaching isn’t her only job.  

“My first job is to keep them safe,” Pullen said. “It’s fun because when I tell them that, they'll turn around and repeat it to me.”

Pullen has taught at Mundy Mill Learning Academy since it opened in 2017. Before, she spent four years teaching at New Holland Knowledge Academy and another four at a private preschool. 

The vibrancy of her first grade class doesn’t only come from its bright colorful decorations. Each day Pullen motivates her students with a healthy dose of cheer and rigor.

“I tell them that I realize this is hard, but you can do hard things,” she said. “I never want to expect less of a child than what they’re capable of.”

Pullen teaches her students to try new things and not to be afraid of asking for help. By showing her love for her students, little by little, they offer her a window into their lives. 

“I think there’s a sense of openness in here and a sense of comfort,” Pullen said. “We’re a big family, and we encourage each other and help each other.”

At what moment did you realize you wanted to be a teacher?

I knew pretty early on. When I was small, I pretended to teach. I’d have my own little classroom in my house. I knew pretty quickly that I just loved seeing light bulbs go on and the children just learning new things. It’s so amazing to see the progress they make throughout the year. I wanted to be a part of that.

Why teach first grade?

I love their innocence and that they are so inquisitive at this age. Also, they’re a little more independent. They can still do things on their own. In kindergarten, you have to teach them a lot of basics in terms of how to be in school. But, by first grade, they’re very comfortable with school. It’s a heavy content year as well. I’m able to really see that growth in them from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.  

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a teacher?
It’s a high reading year in first grade, so they really learn the fundamentals and foundations of reading. Just getting them from basic alphabet knowledge to reading a small chapter book can be a little bit of a challenge. I’d have to say kids are a lot like puzzle pieces. It’s a beautiful picture, but you have to sort through the puzzle pieces and find out what they learn. I feel like by the end of first grade, you really get a beautiful picture of who that child is. 

What do you enjoy most about working at your school?
We’re a big family. It’s not just the individual classroom teachers that care about the well-being of the children, it’s the entire school. Everyone works together to make sure that every child succeeds and gets the love and attention they need. It has really been amazing to be a part of a community that comes together for the good of the students. 

What have you learned about yourself through your time as a teacher?
I’m actually in the process of getting my master’s right now. It has been a learning experience because there’s always new things to learn. Every child is unique. Every child is different. Each year, I feel like I learn something new because somebody new walks through my door. Applying what I’ve learned from my master’s to my classroom, it’s just amazing. I feel like I never stop learning. One of my goals as a teacher is to never stop growing. Ultimately, it’s for the good of the students in my classroom. I want them to get my best self. 

What advice would you give to new teachers?
Learn each individual child. Understand that you’re not only teaching academics to that child, you’re also going to be one of the primary nurturers for that child. You’re going to be teaching them socially and emotionally. Never be afraid to let them know how you feel about them. It’s amazing how much love can go. When you let a child know that you want them to succeed and care about their safety, there’s a level of respect that happens. It makes the learning a little more meaningful. 

Which moments make all of your efforts as a teacher worth it?
When I see a child make strides, whether it be academically, socially, emotionally — whatever the case be. When I see them make a jump from one point to another, and I see the joy in their face when that happens, it’s amazing. When they realize what they can accomplish, it’s just a beautiful thing.