Janae Montgomery has walked the halls of the same school building for much of the past 10 years: first as a high school student, then as a teaching assistant and, as of just a few months ago, as a special education teacher.
Montgomery's educational and training experience had some detours, but ultimately led her back to a career she had chosen long ago and for which she feels she is uniquely suited.
In May, Montgomery was part of the first group of student teachers to graduate from Reach University, a low-cost higher education program that combines on-the-job training with online courses. She was able to earn her bachelor's degree while continuing to work as a teaching assistant, a position she has held since 2020 at her hometown high school outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Now, as she adjusts to her first official year as a teacher on a one-year temporary license, Montgomery will complete her certifications in high school mathematics and special education through an alternative teaching licensure program.
In our Future Teacher series, we meet people who are enrolled in teacher preparation programs today, on the cusp of beginning their careers, to understand what draws them to a field that has been booming. decline during years. What inspires you? It worries them? Why did you want to pursue this work in the first place and what drove you to keep going?
This month, we feature Montgomery, who shares how she had almost given up teaching until a job as a nanny a few years ago helped her realize why she wanted to enter the profession in the first place, and why she is uniquely qualified for it.
The interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Name: Janae Montgomery
Age: 25
Current City: Brusly, Louisiana
Colleague: Reach University and the Louisiana Educator Resource Center
Study area: High School Mathematics and Special Education
Native city: Brusly, Louisiana
EdSurge: What is your first memory of school or a teacher?
Jane Montgomery: One of my first memories was in second grade and I will always appreciate and love the teacher I had. Her name was Mrs. Vidrine. She was an older lady, very sweet, very humble. She pushed us. She built the best relationships. She was like a mother figure at school, someone you could go talk to, you just felt comfortable with her. It was with her that I had my first 'Wow'. The teachers are incredible', moment.
When did you realize you wanted to be a teacher? Was there a specific moment or story?
There was never really a specific moment, but when I was a child I knew I wanted to be a teacher. She would always say, 'Oh, let's play school and I'll be the teacher,' stuff like that. But I can tell you what made me want to be a special education teacher.
After high school, I initially went to university to study to become a high school math teacher. But I felt homesick and decided to return home. Then I went to Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) for a while and they didn't offer high school math, so I started taking business and accounting classes. That wasn't really right for me. Around the same time, in 2017, I started babysitting for this family with two children with special needs. Working with them really changed my goals, dreams and aspirations. I still wanted to teach math, but I just realized that I have a passion, a really burning passion, for working with and advocating for students with disabilities.
You said you always wanted to be a teacher. Did she ever reconsider?
Yes, I do. I thought about changing majors or changing careers several times.
Throughout my college experience, I continued to hear different stories from educators and read about burnout and pay. I have this life (and lifestyle) planned for me and I don't know if teachers' salaries will be enough for that. I have these dreams and goals in mind, but will I really have the funds to support what I really want?
So I've thought about other careers. That's one of the reasons I took accounting and business classes for a while: because, of course, I would make more money as an accountant than as a teacher. But it just didn't feel right.
Tell me more about that. So you signed up for business classes at the community college, but obviously that didn't work out. What happened?
I was taking some classes at BRCC and had kept in touch with the teachers and staff at my old high school. In fact, I was at school a lot at that time because I was coaching the cheerleading team. And they knew I wanted to be a special education teacher, so the school called me and asked if I was interested in being a teaching assistant. I said yes, of course.
In 2020, I began working at the high school as a full-time aide in a self-contained special education class. Many of my students had multiple disabilities and required a lot of attention.
It was truly an eye-opening and very rewarding experience. It was a great opportunity for me to get my foot in the door and learn more about children and different disabilities.
How did that experience help you decide to commit to teaching?
As I was adjusting to the paraprofessional position that year, which was the year COVID hit, I was introduced to Reach University through my school district. I started in a program that allowed me to take courses toward my teaching degree while working in the classroom as a full-time aide. Everything was tied together: what I was learning in the course is what I was applying in my classes. It went hand in hand.
I graduated with my bachelor's degree from Reach in May and received a one-year temporary license, allowing me to start as a full-time teacher in August, with full salary and benefits. I have one year to get my teaching license, so I am now pursuing an alternative program through the Louisiana Educator Resource Center to obtain my certification in both special education and mathematics.
Why do you want to be a teacher?
Not everyone is cut out for this profession. I'm not trying to brag or anything, but I have the patience and communication and relationship-building skills for this job.
When it comes to special education, I want to be that person who advocates for my students because they can't always say what they want and what they need. I want to see kids progress and move forward.
Why do you want to teach at the same school where you were a student?
School was always fun for me, very open and welcoming. I think that has something to do with being from a small town: everyone knows everyone, everyone takes care of everyone. The teachers know your parents and the school operates like a family unit.
The main thing is to give back to where I come from and have people there who want to see me succeed and are willing to help.
I have the best administrators. My high school principal is now my boss and other leaders I know now work on the school board. It's good to have familiar people around you and people who have really taught you and worked with you. It feels good to know you have that support system.
What gives you hope about your future career as a teacher?
I believe that if I can help even one student on my path as an educator, then I will have done a great job: if I have reached one child, changed one child, helped one child. It is simply amazing to be a part of a student's journey and be their champion.
If you don't know, I'm a big fan of building relationships with kids, because I know not everyone has access to that at home.
What gives you pause or worries about becoming a teacher?
Exhaustion. I have seen in recent years how much is demanded of teachers. It's more of everything: more work, more students in a class, more responsibilities. A lot is expected of teachers and many do not receive enough support from the administration. So for me, it's exhaustion.
The other thing is the salary. Teaching is something I really want to do and I feel like this is what I'm supposed to do. But if more is expected of teachers and there are no real changes in remuneration, that could be my driving force, if necessary, to leave the profession.
I imagine you're getting a pretty big pay increase going from paraprofessional to teacher.
Thank the Lord, yes. I now make about double what I made as an assistant.
I always had to work a second job (babysitting for the two kids I started with six years ago) just to pay smaller bills like the car note, insurance, and that kind of stuff. I live at home and still couldn't make it work without another job.
Why does the field need you right now?
The countryside needs me now because I'm really here for the children. I'm not here for the payment, of course, and I'm not here for anything else. I am here to defend the students. And I want to make a difference in the lives of all the children I teach. I'm not just going through the motions. I'm here for a reason. This is my purpose and my passion.
