Delaysha  - Baptist Hill High School

Charleston County School District (CCSD) is proud of the work being done to build an internal teacher pipeline. Elevate Charleston is one such program where CCSD works with high school students interested in becoming teachers. Those students go through an internship process during their junior and senior years to get real-world experience in the classroom. The end result is a commitment to become a CCSD teacher upon graduating from college.

CCSD is excited to feature our amazing future educators through a special Future Teacher Highlight series. This spotlight will celebrate high school students currently serving as classroom interns and planning to pursue a career in teaching.

Meet Delaysha Pinckney. She is in twelfth Grade at Baptist Hill High School. Pinckney is currently interning at Baptist Hill Middle School, with mentor teacher Ms. Freeman, who teaches 6th-grade math. 

Getting to Know You

What inspired you to want to become a teacher?

When I was little, my sister and I would pretend to be teachers. We would make up students, their personalities, and how they act in the classroom. I chose to become an educator because I love kids and teaching, especially my favorite subject, math. At first, I wanted to be an elementary teacher, but after working with Ms. Freeman and shadowing her as she taught her 6th graders, I decided I wanted to switch to middle school math. 

Do you remember a specific teacher or classroom moment that helped shape your decision to pursue teaching? Please describe it.

My math teacher, Mr. Graham, helped finalize my decision without knowing.  I’ve had him for going on two years, and he’s someone whom I aspire to be. He would tell stories about how or when he changed students’ lives in small ways, and even though the change was small, it impacted those students in ways that made a huge difference, and how much they improved from when he first met them. I found these stories inspiring because the students he taught are in juvie. And he changed their lives by teaching and tutoring, and by giving them life advice that would help them in the long run.

What subject or grade level do you hope to teach in the future, and why? 

I’m choosing math because it is my favorite subject, and it's been that way since elementary school. It is my strongest subject, and, along with my story in #7, math is a subject many students hate because it is hard to understand and confusing, which can be very frustrating because it is a core subject. In my mind, I can help my future students better understand math with some really good training. Also, I am a very patient person, which also goes with being a really good educator.

Classroom Experience

What has been the most meaningful part of your internship experience so far?

It has only been a month and a few weeks since I started. When I missed one day to go on a field trip, I missed that day, but the next day, when I came, one of the students came up to me and said, “ Where were you yesterday? The class missed you.” I was not only surprised, but also touched. I knew they would notice, but I didn’t expect them to care that much to ask me about my whereabouts. At my school, when a student goes out of their way to ask such a question, they really like and connect well with you. It’s not an everyday thing, so I’m glad to have experienced that feeling. It’s something that I will never forget as I get older.

What is one thing you’ve learned during your internship that surprised or inspired you?

You can be the nicest teacher in the school, but that doesn’t mean the students respect you. Setting boundaries, being understanding, being interactive, listening, and talking to them instead of at them are what earn you respect. After that, everything else plays out by itself. That doesn’t mean you won’t run into some challenges, but what makes the journey fun and exciting. 

How has working with students changed or strengthened your desire to become a teacher?

My first decision was to become an elementary educator, but after starting my internship class and working with the 6th graders, I realized this is what I should be doing. They made it easy for me and have welcomed me. I am very appreciative of that. I was nervous at first, but that’s normal for first-timers. Not only that, I was able to connect with Ms. Freeman faster than expected, and, hearing from Mr. C from time to time, she has nothing but positive things to say about me. I honestly thought they were going to give me a hard time and that I wouldn’t like it at all, but it was quite the opposite. 

 

Looking Ahead

What are your plans after high school (college, major, career goals)?

My plans after high school are to go to college and major in secondary education. My career goal is not only to become an educator but also to change a life for the better.

How do you hope to make a difference as a future educator?

Because I know how hard this subject is, and that people learn and process things differently. I hope that, with my education, training, personality, and the life skills I develop, I can share a special connection with all my students, take time to get to know them, and make the learning environment fun and easier for them to process. I hope to create an environment as welcoming as I felt when I entered Ms. Freeman’s classroom.

In your own words, why is teaching important?

For me, you can teach anything, no matter where you are in life. You can also learn no matter where you are in life. Teaching and learning have no age limit, and that's what makes it important. You could be 80 years old, learning so much from someone in their early 20s. And vice versa. That person will carry everything they’ve learn and apply it to whatever they choose to do in their life.

 

Optional Extras

Is there a quote, motto, or message you live by or that reflects your passion for teaching?

One quote that I live by is “ A little goes a long way.” I don’t know where I heard this quote, but it's been in my head for as long as I can remember. Any time I have no motivation, I repeat this quote, and it has helped me in ways I cannot describe. 

Anything else you'd like to share? 

No matter where you are in life, teaching and learning have no age limit. Even those “useless” lessons have a purpose. 

For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at (843) 937-6303.