Shauna Anderson

EDUC 350
Final Project/Teacher Work Sample
Part 2 Case Study: Graysen Bonow
Graysen Bonow is a 13 year old 7th grader at Preston Middle School. She is a beautiful,
bright-eyed, taller than average teenager who comes from a loving family of 6. She lives with her
parents and 2 brothers (one younger, one older) while her oldest sister attends the University of
Nebraska where Graysen hopes to be accepted when she graduates from high school. (It also
happens to be her Dad's Alma Mater: Go Huskers!)
When I first met Graysen, she seemed to be on the quiet and shy side. She is not
boisterous or dramatic like most kids her age - eager for attention and constant validation. Quite
the contrary; she is comfortable with who she is and knows she is at school to learn and grow.
She already has a very mature and insightful outlook on the future of her education and concrete
plans for her future. I have found her to be wise beyond her 13 years.
Graysen's perception of school in general is that it should be what it claims to be: a
learning and academic environment. So far this has been the case in her experience, however,
she feels that the social drama and teenage angst at this age can be distracting to the learning
environment. One thing she likes about the school system is that it allows for collaboration with
her peers, for example, group discussion and the sharing of opinions. It is less about the teacher
being the only source of knowledge - but she learns a great deal from her classmates. Graysen
likes the 4, 3, 2, 1 grading system at Preston. "It makes sense," she says. It is basic and simple
and she feels it has worked with her learning style which is primarily visual. "Preston has given
me a good education, " she explains. "The teachers are helpful, patient and understanding. I like

how we can go at our own pace and work with a feeling of independence." One thing Graysen
said she would change about Preston would be to install air-conditioning. She is happy with the
allotted lunchtime and feels she gets enough time to eat and also go outside if she wants to,
however the passing periods (5 minutes) are too rushed.
The major difference between elementary school and junior high, according to Graysen,
is the variety in classes, instruction and peers, within any given class. In elementary school, she
felt that it was basically the same thing every day - same teacher, same classmates, same routine.
In junior high, the days are varied and Graysen really enjoys seeing many different teachers on
any given day - and a change-up of classmates. She did find the schedule (odd/even- teal/purple)
to be confusing at first, but has it down now.
Graysen didn't hesitate to name Mr. Janzen (now retired) as her favorite teacher of all
time. She explains, "He was always in a good mood. Even if the project we were working on was
stressful, he would make it fun with his easy-going and upbeat personality. " Her favorite class so
far has been 7th grade World Geography taught by Mr. Walz. She enjoys the learning process in
his classroom. Each new unit begins with research-based questions wherein the student is given a
new blank map and they are to color code the area (for example, Southwest Asia) and countries
within that region once they've located them in the textbook or online using net books. Shortly
after learning about the region and doing their research, the students come back together and Mr.
Walz draws a random name and asks that student a question. The student responds and explains
where the answer was found. If the student doesn't know the answer to the question, the other
classmates offer their insight. Graysen says she likes Mr. Walz's method of questioning because
even though it may sound nerve-wracking to be called upon to answer in front of the class, the

students actually do not feel put on the spot at all. "The other kids are there to help, so there's no
pressure." She loves geography!
To relax and unwind after school and on the weekend, Graysen plays volleyball with her
club team in her position as middle back. She is an avid musician - playing both the guitar and
the piano. She enjoys a variety of TV shows - from Glee to The Walking Dead (she ain't afraid of
no zombies or mean Ms. Sylvester!). Sundays are special for Graysen and her family as they
make it a tradition to go out to breakfast together. On the weekends when the weather is nice,
they gather in their backyard and roast s'mores. They enjoy watching movies (Graysen says she
falls asleep within the first few minutes of the opening scene!) and playing board games.
When I asked Graysen about her short term and long term goals, she didn't hesitate with
her responses. "My short term goals are to get good grades at Preston in preparation for high
school. I want to have good work habits because I know it's important to be focused and
prepared for each class." Her long term goals are to be successful in life - starting with, "going to
college at the University of Nebraska and ultimately becoming a young adult/adolescent
psychologist." She continues, "I really want to do something I can be proud of in the future. I
love to help others and I find myself giving a lot of advice to people at school who come to me
with problems. I want to help those people that are struggling in life. This is such a hard age."
Finally, when I asked Graysen what she would change about school or the world, she said
she felt that people should make a greater effort to help those around them feel more comfortable
by building up their self confidence. She is saddened by the need for constant comparison and
self-doubt at this age - she sees it daily. If she could, she would love to tell the people of the
world to, "Be true to yourself! Don't fall into the trap of comparison. Take a stand!" She is

encouraged when her peers take a stand. She believes in self-expression and the beauty of being
unique.
Graysen Bonow is the future. I could not be more excited to see where she goes in life. I
have been honored to listen to her thoughtful and discerning answers to my questions and to
observe her in French 1A at Preston this semester.