Echo Spring 2023 - 21

the student reached the third-grade reading level
with his teacher's help.
Harlem Park is able to provide other opportunities
to students as well, such as field trips. During
a field trip this school year to the Baltimore
Aquarium, Brown was struck by the emotion in
her students. " All of their faces lit up, " she said.
" Seeing them outside their element; sharks in
front of their eyes, fish tanks, jellyfish ... [one
student] said, 'Ms. Brown, you really took us
here?' "
Brown loves helping these students achieve
things that seemed impossible and visit places
they never thought they'd go. However, she also
is aware of the challenges that many of them
face at home.
" Their basic necessities not being met wears on
my heart, " she said. " Everyone deserves a highquality
education, but some students don't even
know where they're going to lay their head or
where their next meal is coming from. "
These challenges, along with transportation
difficulties, can be barriers to education, but
Brown is thankful for things she learned at LBC
that help her process adversity.
Brown's experience at LBC was transformational.
She was a full-time student, basketball player and
graduated a year early. " [LBC] was everything I
thought I needed and more, " she said. " It taught
me [about] time management, prioritizing and
the grace of God. "
Impacted greatly by the Education Department
and professors, she speaks highly of her alma
mater. Discussing controversial topics in class,
seeing the Bible through a new lens in her Psalms
class and even having to redo lesson plans over
and over again were instrumental in shaping her.
Brown's experience at LBC shaped her worldview
and philosophy of teaching as well. Teaching at a
public school as a Christian can make it difficult to
share one's faith, but Brown believes teaching is
her ministry.
" I knew what I believed, but to back it up with
Scripture and to see teaching as a ministry
[has allowed me to] hold onto the faith despite
challenges and know that it's not my own
strength but God's, " she said. " Other colleagues
were shocked because usually first-year teachers
quit. It's God's strength, not mine. "
Brown loves to find practical ways to integrate
her faith into the classroom. During lessons
about space, she asked her students where they
thought space comes from. Fostering curiosity
and encouraging them to talk with their parents
is another way she indirectly shares her beliefs.
Most importantly, she is aware of the way she
acts toward her students, focusing on showing
respect, kindness and forgiveness.
" I want them to know that at the end of the day,
something's different about me, " she said.
Looking toward a new school year in the fall,
Brown reflected on the importance of seeing
growth in her students. " I want more of my
students to be reading on grade level and to
continue to close the learning opportunity
gaps, " she said.
Brown's wake-up call every morning is her
students, desiring to provide them with a rich
education and resources that empower them
for the rest of their lives.
To learn more about LBC's Early Childhood
Education program, visit lbc.edu/education.
Megan Rogers is pursuing her master's degree
in Strategic Communication Leadership at LBC |
Capital. Working with The Factory Ministries, she
loves to support nonprofits to tell the stories of
communities and individuals.
Tenia Brown ('22) teaches her
third-grade class at Harlem Park
Elementary School in Baltimore.
Photos by Sara Vars
ECHO 21
http://www.lbc.edu/education
Echo Spring 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Echo Spring 2023
