By Caden Mumme
We at The Bulletin decided to nominate Mrs. Kreinik for our teacher spotlight. She teaches Chemistry and Environmental Science. She also works for the UNO Geology Department and travels all over the U.S. for this job. This is our interview with her:
What is it you enjoy most about teaching?
“I love helping students achieve a level of success they may not have known before. Success is a personal thing. For one student it could be getting Cs where they had Ds in the past. For another, it could be bettering their study habits and test scores, or getting into the habit of turning in every assignment. I am striving to help my guys see that what looks like success for one student may not be the same for all, but that all improvement is a form of it.”
How long have you been teaching?
“I am in my 13th year.”
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
“I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in [high school]. It was entirely because of the teachers I had then.”
What made you choose Holy Cross?
“Several reasons. I was deeply impressed with the mission and the dedication to service, which I think is crucial to childhood experience. Also, I am a great advocate of single-sex education, and I was given latitude to develop my own course (within State requirements, of course) and to include a heavy field element. But mostly the people I met during the interview process made it very clear this was a family, not just a job. It felt right from day one and that feeling has never gone away.”
Do you feel that the idea of becoming a Holy Cross Man is a strong presence among the students?
“In the students I have had the honor to teach, I do. Some pursue it actively, others who may not, or who may not realize they are trying to achieve this goal, are doing it anyway. I see aspects of the HC man in every child I have taught. Often, as they get older, and I see them mature, that ideal is stronger and more pronounced. When students come to me as seniors, though, they are very much aware of and actively hoping and trying to achieve that goal, almost without exception.”
What is your favorite way to reward a student for going above and beyond?
“Praise and recognition both in public as well as to the students one-on one. Giving the opportunity to take it further with leadership roles in the classroom.”
What is your most effective form of punishment for a student that steps out of line?
“I am admittedly lacking imagination in this department. I try not to punish students. If you are sent out of my classroom, it has been a long time coming. One thing I NEVER EVER do, nor should anyone, is punish a student’s behavior through his grades. I find that a stern word or two makes the point in the classroom.”
Are you more of a lecture-based teacher? Or more into involving students into the lesson and taking field trips?
“I do both! Field trips are the key to understanding the natural world and understanding the natural world is they key to becoming invested in it and in Environmental Science. I also try to give options for assignments so that students have some choice in how they pursue the lesson material. Much to the chagrin of generations of students, lecture is also very necessary at the junior and senior level. It is preparatory for the college experience. But I try to keep it fun and open discussions often.”
What is the most difficult part of being a teacher?
“Overcoming self-doubt, in the beginning. Once you become a veteran it becomes less pronounced, but it is still there. We want everyone to succeed, and we want to connect with and to reach every child on a meaningful level. Sadly, we do not achieve that with every single student we teach in a lifetime, but I would like to think I have achieved this more often than not.”
If you could describe yourself and your teaching ways in one word, what would it be?
“Keating-Klotz. (I can hyphenate, right?)”
“That’s my teaching style, far more by chance than by design. Keating refers to Robin Williams’ fictional teacher in the film Dead Poet’s Society who longed to inspire and challenge students to aspire to greatness. Klotz refers to one of my own [high school] teachers, Ann Klotz, who had the greatest influence on me both as a student and, I am recognizing more every year, as a teacher.”
“I suppose it’s another way of saying ‘passionate’.”
Do you have any words for the students?
“Take big chances as you strive to succeed, and in those times you do fail, you will have dared to fail gloriously. No guts, no glory! (But please do not apply these words to driving.)”