By Sheila Anderson
Valley City Times-Record

Carol Foth can’t remember a time when she didn’t want to be a teacher.
Foth says as a child she would line up her dolls and play school.
“The more I teach the more it becomes wonderful,” Foth said. “Every time I’m up against the wall, a kid gets up on stage and knocks my socks off. I was truly born to do the job I’m doing.”
A native of Nome, Foth graduated from Fingal High School and received her education degree at Valley City State University. She was recently named teacher of the year by the Valley City Education Association, and was nominated by students and peers for a Northern Interscholastic Press Association award.
Foth began as a paraprofessional in the Valley City School District, and then became a substitute teacher. Eventually she became a teacher of art and journalism. Foth also works in the drama department. Before coming to VCHS, Foth taught art, English and home economics in the Maple Valley School District.
In reflecting about her teaching philosophy, Foth recognizes how much teachers learn from their students.
“I absolutely believe that every time I go into the classroom, those students teach me so much,” Foth said.
Foth believes in the necessity of information sharing in her classroom. Older students act as mentors for younger students. This student interaction is an essential part of Foth’s teaching philosophy.
“You learn more by teaching than you do by anything else,” Foth said. “The sharing of knowledge creates a community. That idea of community can be extended into so many different areas of their lives.”
In Foth’s journalism class, this philosophy is quite evident. The class is composed of first, second, and third year students. More experienced students are guided by Foth to help new students.
“I just kind of stand back and guide to make sure everything gets done,” Foth said.
Another innovative aspect of the journalism class is the spring class meeting held before the class begins in the fall. At this meeting, Foth tells the students journalism class will be like a 400-level college course to prepare them for the year ahead.
“I tell them how tough it is, but also how much fun it is,” Foth said. “They seem to have a lot of fun working hard.”
Teaching is by no means an easy profession. Foth finds that her greatest challenge comes from within.
“I think of how much I challenge myself to do a better job of teaching so I can give them as much as is humanly possible without overwhelming them,” Foth said.
Many changes have occurred in the teaching profession since Foth began. Foth said more pressure from many different directions is affecting teachers. New regulations mean more paperwork, pressure and more goals. Teachers are expected to be more personally involved, yet at the same time   No Child Left Behind benchmarks and standards have made teaching more businesslike.
“It seems so businesslike,” Foth said. “The personal aspect gets clouded over. I think No Child Left Behind is leaving a lot of children behind because it camouflages what the real problems are.”
After the implementation of No Child Left Behind, the teaching profession has lost many good teachers, Foth said, because they didn’t have a major in their subject area.
Foth said teachers are expected to cover more material in less class time. Foth said teachers must make sure the benchmarks are reached in the curriculum. The pressure on children, Foth said, is also greater in many areas.
“Students are faced with so many other issues other than just growing,” Foth said.
Junior high students are in a developmental period when their minds are like sponges, Foth said.
    “It is a time when they still have the uninhibited creativity of the younger child but the abilities of an older child,” Foth said. “I will never cease to be amazed at what a junior high student can achieve.”
    Despite the challenges, Foth has a never-ending supply enthusiasm for teaching. Part of that enthusiasm probably comes from the support of those around her.
    “I just feel like the Valley City School system is a wonderful place to teach,” Foth said. “I’m lucky not only to teach but to teach here.”

For full story, see Thursday's edition of the Valley City Times-Record.