Rachel Mahoney’s students have taught her to be flexible, adaptable

Published 8:33 am Thursday, January 12, 2023

Lake Charles native Rachel Mahoney, 27, has learned quite a lot in her five years as an educator.

One of the most significant things that she has learned is that she chose the right profession for herself. Mahoney said that from a very young age, she had an inclination to become a teacher. “I knew from when I was little I always wanted to be a teacher,” she said.

After unintentionally practicing during playtime in her youth, she realized her fantasy could become reality. “I enjoyed playing school at home, so I wanted to make my dreams come true.”

Mahoney got straight to it after graduating from Barbe High School in 2013. In the fall of 2017, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education from McNeese State University. She didn’t stop there. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon State Univeristy in October 2022.

All of the years that she has taught have been at Ralph Wilson Elementary.

Her first four years she taught third grade. She made the switch to fourth grade ELA (English Language Arts) and social studies at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.

It didn’t take long for Mahoney to be confident in her decision to become a teacher. “When I experienced what it was like in the classroom, I knew I was right where I needed to be,” she said.

Over the past few years, she has not stopped learning, and this is what she loves most about being a teacher. “The thing I enjoy most about education is the learning experience,” she explained.

Her students have taught her to be flexible and adaptable. “My students help me by teaching me that not all students learn the same way, and they help me grow by altering my way of problem solving.”

She is also grateful for the opportunity to build genuine and lasting relationships with her students, as she is “able to build relationships with younger generations and hopefully make a difference in their lives.” For Mahoney, being a positive role model for the students is an honor she doesn’t take lightly.

She makes it a mission to remember the potential of every kid that enters her classroom. “All students are capable of an education,” she said. “I strive to reach students wherever they are in their learning path.”

Mahoney is able to assure that each student has an opportunity by creating a warm and comforting learning environment. “My classroom is a safe place for students and I assure them every day that I love them.”

The importance of her work is not lost on Mahoney. She understands her responsibility to positively influence students to help the community as a whole. “I feel education helps the community by making them aware of what students may face in their educational journey and in their future workplace.”

Mahoney’s advice for both seasoned and green teachers is to “not give up on our babies.”

“They need you, even on our worst days, they still need us,” she continued. “Some days you might not feel like you are making an impact, but I promise you, you are making a difference in their lives.”