Adam Weeks
Baltimore City Teaching ResidencyElementary, 2nd Grade
Why did you become a teacher?
From the time I was in middle school, I wanted to be a high school English teacher. I went to Salisbury University and started out as a secondary education major, but by my sophomore year, I was feeling burned out. So I switched to creative writing with a minor in film. I graduated in 2021 and joined the Literacy Lab through AmeriCorps, where I was trained as a reading intervention tutor and worked with small groups of early elementary students. I loved it, and it felt like I was making a difference and doing something meaningful.
Why did you choose to apply for Baltimore City Teaching Residency?
A coach from my Literacy Lab school recommended I consider Urban Teachers or the Baltimore City Teaching Residency (BCTR) program. Since I was amped and ready to go into the classroom, I chose BCTR, which would get me there faster.
What was your pre-service training experience like, and how did it prepare you for the classroom?
I would not trade my pre-service training (PST) experience for anything, I learned so much. I had never seen classroom management approached in such a positive manner, where we assume the best in students. My field experience showed me that that approach was very effective.
What support from your coach was the most valuable?
They went above and beyond in everything. All of the BCTR staff were so clear on what we were doing, why we were doing it, how they were preparing us, and how they expected us to perform. I have never had an experience like PST where I felt like I was truly gaining everything I needed. The team was there for me and respected me.
What advice would you give someone who is applying to Baltimore City Teaching Residency?
Even if it seems like a lot, it is so worth it. The curriculum is proven. Trust that they are giving you what you need in PST, and trust that they are preparing you better than anyone else in Baltimore. I would also say be confident. Listen to what the instructors say, really take their advice to heart and tell yourself, “I can do that.”
What keeps you motivated as a teacher?
I want to be there for these kids, and I want them to have an accepting mindset, where they accept others and accept themselves for who they are, without hiding. With so much going on, there needs to be teachers who are there to show them they can do it. We’ve got to be setting these kids up to be leaders for the next generation.