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Mrs. Gottschalk’s Journey from Living Room to Classroom

01.23.2025 | By: Texas Wesleyan University
Mrs. Gottschalk Teaching a 1st grade class in small group.

Teachers are more than just educators. They’re confidence builders. Inspiration fuelers. Compassionate leaders. And Tanner Pruitt Gottschalk '17 was reminded of that the day one of her first graders shyly raised her hand, holding up a book, and exclaimed, “I did it Mrs. Gottschalk! I read the whole thing!” 

Gottschalk became a teacher after receiving her Bachelor of Science in education degree followed by her Master of Education as a reading specialist from Texas Wesleyan University. She became a teacher at 22 and worked in Fort Worth ISD for four years and has taught 1st – 3rd grade. Currently, she is in her second year with Northwest ISD as a reading specialist. “My bread and butter is phonics and reading. I love teaching about letters and sounds,” said Gottschalk. 

“Texas Wesleyan was the first time I felt at home in a school that wasn't my living room,” said Gottschalk. “It was very easy to get to know people. The teachers knew us by name, but the second I took a class with Dr. Dryden, and we got to go test kids and do small groups with kids, I was sold.” 

                                                      Tanner Pruitt Gottschalk and Dr. Dryden at Hooding Ceremony

Gottschalk didn’t have many plans after TCC, but she toured Texas Wesleyan University as well as other TXWES events. "They were so nice. They talked about the class sizes, how long it would take and being Smaller. Smarter. At TXWES, people are hanging out, and you stay there even when you're not in class to be there with your people,” said Gottschalk. “People seem to be drawn here because that's their place.” 

Gottschalk decided to continue with the fifth-year program and receive her M.Ed. The options were administration, curriculum and reading specialization. Gottschalk chose to be a reading specialist. She had a small community of classmates that were there for each other and several of the professors were also teaching undergraduate courses, so it was a familiar environment.  

                                                               Tanner Pruitt Gottschalk Graduation Photo in Front of Admin TXWES Building

“I didn't like school. I was just kind of going through the motions, but once I hit that reading class, I decided I wanted to focus on that. I liked school so much at that point, I feel like I helped those around me like school. I’m proud of that,” said Gottschalk.  

Gottschalk began teaching in 2019 and was warned about the teacher shortages, especially in rural areas. “I've had five friends who only lasted a year or two in teaching just because they did not realize how much of a toll it took, two that were starting families, one that didn’t pass the certification exam, and two more that decided teaching was not for them,” said Gottschalk. “Leadership is everything and can change your whole view on teaching.”  

School culture is different everywhere you go. Gottschalk experienced two teaching environments that were completely different. As a college student, she saw school through a glorified lens, as this was her dream job.  

“Being a student, you see the edge of education, but being a teacher, you get to see all of it. You get to see a difference you're making,” said Gottschalk. “I love my students so much.” 

During the pandemic, Gottschalk had half a class online and half a class in person at the same time. The pandemic has affected placements, and they have had to make up for two years of growth. “Most of these kids cannot do school at home the way I did with my mom. That is why they are in public school,” she said. Gottschalk chose to drive to each student’s home to drop off the work they were doing in class to the parents so they could still have physical tools to work on motor skills.  

Gottschalk made baskets for all her students during Spring Break with coloring books, bubbles and things to do at home and drove to each student to drop off the baskets. She held after-school tutoring sessions in online office hours for kids and parents after work. That year, there was no yearbook, so Gottschalk made a class photo with pictures of the students sent in from the families.  

Inclusivity in all learning techniques is important to Gottschalk. Her students have table groups, wobble chairs, a fidget box, a chair by her desk and what they call “lonely islands” where students can request to work in a distraction-free area. Assignments were also given as “mustard, mayonnaise and ketchup” which is what you must do (mustard), may do (mayonnaise) and work to catch up on next time (ketchup). This assisted all students who worked at different speeds. 

Gottschalk even created a classroom economy with pretend money to help students manage their behavior. First graders used the money to buy rewards like homework passes, pajama passes or special privileges like sitting by a friend or using a wobble stool. Third graders had to pay rent, expenses and fines. If they broke a rule, they’d pay a fine. On Fridays, they can shop with the money earned. To help students think about their actions, Gottschalk used "think sheets." These sheets asked students to write down which rule they broke, how they felt about it and what they would do to improve. Parents also help students work on plans to do better next time. 

Gottschalk wished more parents understood that “there are other children with various needs in the classroom.” Many have close to 30 kids in a class at a time. “Have grace for teachers; they are usually trying their best. If your teacher says your kid is struggling with something, it's never a negative or to put more work on you. It's to get on board together because they genuinely think your child will benefit from it.  We're on your side,” said Gottschalk. 

Gottschalk is consistently attempting to be a better teacher with each passing day, by attending conferences, classes and researching. Gottschalk’s advice for TXWES education students is to “know that everyone is different. Just because you wouldn't do something a certain way doesn't mean everybody has to do it that way. TXWES is preparing you, but nothing can prepare you except for your first year by yourself. Nowhere in your education do you get to have a class by yourself. You are always with your mentor teacher or supervisor. Internalize what they are teaching you because you're making your education philosophy and building your foundation. It is the best thing,” said Gottschalk. 

                                            Tanner Pruitt Gottschalk Working with a student one-on-one

“This is the most important thing in my life. I don't have kids. These are my children. These kids are my life. That's why I would take them things to their homes and go to their soccer games or cheerleading performances. You don't always know who they have in their corner. If anything happened to my children, it would be the end of my world,” said Gottschalk. 

“Texas Wesleyan showed me that I wanted to be a reading specialist in the first place. They taught me everything I need to know about being a reading specialist and the professors keep up with you for life. They are here to help with whatever we need, and I want to make them proud. I can text Dr. Dryden right now and she'll respond. I kind of want to go back for my doctoral program, just because I liked it,” said Gottschalk. “All the classes that I took gave me a better-rounded experience. I would love to be somebody's Dr. Dryden.” 

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