Jennifer Sikes has taught English at Darlington's Upper School since 2010. She holds a B.A. from Shorter College and an M.A. from Clemson University. Prior to teaching at Darlington, Sikes was an assistant professor of English at Shorter College. She and her husband, Brian, have two children, Grant ('23) and Quinn.
How long have you been teaching?
16 years
When did you decide to become a teacher, and why did you choose teaching?
I decided my sophomore year in college, and I love watching the learning process and watching the students find that spark when it clicks.
What techniques do you find especially useful in your teaching methods?
I find a relaxed environment is best. For example: I don’t compete with growling stomachs, you can eat in my class and you can chew gum. I guess my most important technique for teaching is to give the students an environment where they feel comfortable. So nobody has to ask to go to the bathroom and students can sit in beanbags if they want to.
What do you expect out of your students?
I expect students to give the best they can give me.
What is your favorite part of teaching?
In general, I like to see students who push through if I stretch the learning. There is this moment I think everyone has in their learning where they get frustrated and they feel like ‘I can’t do this, this is really, really hard.’ I have students who will do this everyday of every year; they push all the way through and in the end, they feel so proud of themselves and their accomplishments. It’s such an independent thing that all I can do is encourage them.
What is the best part about your job?
It’s hard to pick. Probably teaching writing and watching students develop a confidence in their writing. So many students come in and they are very anxious about writing and don’t know what to write. I love watching them feel good about what they have written.
What do you find to be the most difficult part of teaching?
I find it extremely difficult when I have a student who gives up completely. It’s heartbreaking when a student has to leave the school because sometimes I feel responsible, especially if that student was in my class not doing well with their grades, that hurts. It’s also really hard when I have a student who just completely stops, gives up, and refuses to progress further.
