Dialog reporter
WILMINGTON – Some members of the Future Educators Association at St. Mark’s High School are getting a head start on their careers in teaching. Three Spartan girls created an interactive children’s book for a competition at the Delaware FEA Conference, which was held in December at Delaware State University in Dover.
Their book, “Bedtime with Benny,” earned them second place in the children’s literature category.
Brittany Walls, Caitrin Cullington and Erin McKeown are three of the 13 members of the St. Mark’s FEA. They said the Dover conference had approximately 20 difference competitions, and St. Mark’s, one of the smaller chapters, participated in two of them.
“Bedtime with Benny” is an interactive book designed for children ages 3-5. Cullington wrote the story, and she and McKeown produced the book, which includes moving pieces that children can move to help Benny get ready for bed.
“We wanted something that would keep the kids’ attention, yet be fun and entertaining and so that they would learn a lesson,” Cullington said. “When you go through the book you move him, so it’s interactive, but they’re still ‘in’ the book.”
All three seniors hope to have a career in education. Cullington has worked in childcare for two years and hopes to teach elementary school.
“I started working at a daycare right down the street, and I was always put in with the 2-year-olds. I just like them a lot. They’re always happy to see you. That was just my favorite part; when I’d walk in and everyone would come over and give me a big hug,” she said.
McKeown also has her sights set on younger students.
“I liked my second-grade teacher a lot. She had a really big influence on my life. I just loved her, so I just want to do that to kids,” she said.
Walls, a member of the FEA for two years, said she would like to teach high school English. She said she would interact better with students who are a bit older.
Walls and Cullington attended St. John the Beloved School and said teachers there were influential in their lives and their decision to enter education. Walls said the teacher who made the biggest mark on her was Linda Hart, who taught Walls in eighth grade.
“We were so close. She had the biggest influence on me. Whenever I visit, I just basically sit with Mrs. Hart and talk to her,” she said.
According to Cullington, members of the FEA are taking a road trip during Catholic Schools Week, where one of their duties will be to read prayer cards with students. She said the opportunity to have an influence on others is one of the reasons she wants to be a teacher.
“Obviously, without education you wouldn’t know anything. It’s just a great occupation to have an influence on others and teach others their basic needs,” she said.
McKeown, a graduate of The College School in Newark and a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Hockessin, said she has an aunt and a cousin who are teachers. She hopes to reach a particular group of students.
“I also want to teach special education. Sometimes it’s really hard to interact with them and get them to open up to you, but you really have to get them to open up to you,” McKeown said.
The girls are in the process of finalizing their college plans. They agree that St. Mark’s has been a very positive experience for them, with a close-knit atmosphere but one that has allowed them to grow individually. Walls could see herself at St. Mark’s again.
“My dream job would be to come back,” she said.
When she does, Walls could reunite with Cullington and McKeown for the sequel to “Bedtime with Benny.”
