When teachers talk about lifelong learning, Carmen Wilmot and Gavin Koehler shine as examples. Both began their teaching journeys at the Upper Valley Educators Institute through the Teacher Internship Program (TIP), earning their teaching licenses while apprenticing with experienced mentors in local schools. Now, a few years later, each has returned to UVEI to pursue a master’s degree in education focused on advanced teaching, a decision driven by their shared commitment to continued growth and excellence in their classrooms.

 

Starting a Teaching Career

For both educators, the path to teaching was not straightforward but steeped in curiosity and the joy of helping others learn.

Gavin (TIP ‘23), now a middle school math teacher at Harwood Union Middle School, recalls graduating from Keene State College with a math degree but no clear plan. “I had spent the last four summers working on golf courses in Vermont and New Hampshire and needed something more sustainable,” he says. “My mom’s a teacher, and she suggested I talk with UVEI.” A meeting with faculty member Chris Ward changed everything. “After that, I was hooked. I got to experience what it was like to teach math in a real classroom- and it felt natural to turn my love of explaining things into a career.”

 

Carmen (TIP ‘22), a biologist by training who now teaches science at Claremont Middle School, had always felt drawn to education. “I always enjoy teaching others in some capacity, whether it is an adult or a child,” she explains. “I have always either studied or worked in an educational environment. I am always investigating or reading about new ideas, so education fits with my curiosity.”

 

Returning to UVEI for a masters degree

When Gavin and Carmen decided to return to UVEI, both were motivated by a desire to deepen their practice and connect with fellow educators tackling the challenges of today’s changing classrooms.

As a relative newcomer to the field, Gavin points to his desire to deepen his understanding of the complexities of teaching and learning and sees UVEI’s MEd pathway, coupled with his classroom experience, as a way to naturally expand and deepen his current skills and knowledge as an educator. For Carmen, the decision is about keeping pace with a rapidly shifting world. “The world is changing around us- global access, remote learning, AI. Pursuing my MEd helps me connect with others who are also trying to keep up and innovate.”

 “I’ve learned how capable students are when given the right framework.”

Reflecting on their early days as interns, both teachers say experience has reshaped their understanding of students and learning. Gavin entered teaching eager to share “how cool mathematics is,” but soon realized effective teaching starts by “meeting students where they are.” His approach now includes daily routines, warm-ups, and games to keep students engaged through variety and movement. “I’ve learned how capable students are when given the right framework,” he says. For Carmen, growth came through understanding context. “My understanding of how school culture can differ from town to town and school to school within a few miles surprised me initially,” she recalls. “I learned very quickly that I need to start where the students are and where my abilities lie. My pedagogy had to change to fit my circumstances.”

 

Both emphasize that teaching involves risk, humility, and constant reflection. “Be willing to take risks and fail to become a better teacher,” Carmen advises. “Everyone around you has a story you can learn from.”

“Take time to dream about possibilities. Even if it takes a while to get there, the process keeps you learning.” 

When asked how they’ve changed since their internships, Gavin reflects on how his instructional style has evolved. Still, he simultaneously remains a work in progress, realizing that teaching can be emotionally taxing. Nonetheless, he is intentional about providing each student a fresh start each day, even after a challenging classroom day, a reminder that growth in teaching is both technical and personal. Carmen sees her ongoing commitment to curiosity as her constant. “Take time to dream about possibilities,” she says. “Even if it takes a while to get there, the process keeps you learning.”

 

Advice for New Teachers

Both offer heartfelt advice for those considering a teaching career, starting with a message of self-compassion. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. There are thousands of variables every day that you can’t control,” Gavin says. Similarly, Carmen adds, “Teaching is tough, and it can consume all your time unless you learn to manage it. Give yourself grace for mistakes, and know that your skills can take you in many directions. Don’t stop learning. Share your passions with your students, and look for the leaders in your classroom- they love to teach, too.”

 

As both work towards their master’s degrees, Gavin and Carmen embody the spirit of ongoing professional learning that defines UVEI’s mission of engaging, inspiring, and challenging educators, developing their ability to make classrooms and schools places where all people belong and thrive. They understand that great teaching is never finished- it’s a dynamic process of inquiry, adaptation, and care. Together, their stories remind us why teachers never really stop being students.

 

Adam Norwood is the Coordinator of the Barnes Initiative for Collaborative Learning, and a faculty member for the Teaching and Leadership programs. He is grateful to have coached both Carmen and Gavin as TIP candidates, and to now coach them as MEd candidates.