together through teaching math
In math, there is always a solution, and for Emma Marshburn and Katelyn Walters, it’s friendship. Being math teachers in the same school may have brought these two together; however, it is not just location that united them. Their silliness slowly led to serious intentionality in all they do, taking the time to get to know their students from academics to athletics to aspirations.
“Even though our personalities are similar, the thing that unifies us the most is how much we love our students,” Marshburn said.
Marshburn and Walters agreed that they not only prioritize their students' academics, but also their hearts. With this shared passion, they form a special bond over an equal love for their students whom they see as family.
“If you need to call her, you can call her. If you need her to show up, she'll show up. She's one of those people that shows out for the people she cares about, and that's really priceless,” Marshburn said.
graphic by Carly Fagundus
This intentionality is a key part to their friendship; knowing and noticing what the other is doing pushes them to strive to be better. This dynamic duo knows the importance of balance, bringing joy and a good laugh, but also really knowing their students and what goes on beyond the classroom.
“She's gonna call a mom; she wants to know about your home life. She wants to know about things outside of school,” Walters said.
Creating a welcoming and encouraging learning environment is their bread and butter. Marshburn and Walters have discovered that the best way to cultivate learning is not to focus solely on retention, but also to teach topics in ways that cater to their students specific needs by taking the time to notice and understand the student.
Their ability to think outside of the box when it comes to standard teaching styles makes their students feel seen and heard. Marshburn's ability to backtrack and connect concepts in ways that may click better with some students, while Walters then can hone in on the math content, they are able to teach all.
“We’re both pretty good at connecting with kids in different ways, but some days we switch classes,” Walters said. “Yesterday she came and watched my honors kids while they took a quiz because she felt like her year-long kids just weren't fully grasping a topic, and I was like ‘I love this topic I'll give it a try.’”
Since Marshburn and Walters are working together every day, it is important to them not to lose sight of how to keep a healthy friendship. They shared that one of their biggest pieces of advice is to be explicit communicators since staying positive without honest communication can be difficult.
“We walk inside the building [together], and it gives us time to debrief, but one thing that she brought up last week is before we can say anything negative, we have to say 10 good things that happened in our day,” Walters said.
It has become quite evident that these two have mastered a flourishing friendship all the while teaching their students what it looks like to love through actions, service and intentionality.
“She's reached students that other teachers at the school have said are unreachable, and it's just because she loves them the way that the Lord loves her,” Walters said. “I don't think that I've really comprehended, probably until right now, just how sweet our friendship is.”