Teachers at Liberty High School often go above and beyond to support their students in a variety of ways. Outside of teaching, they are sports coaches, club advisors, event organizers, and mentors. Malyssa Oblander (she/her), an AP Spanish teacher, is a faculty member who is dedicated to her students’ success.
Four years ago, a group of Liberty students started a Black-Latino Student Union (BLSU) to provide support for minorities and bring awareness of issues of racial equity. While the students wanted to keep it as a student-led organization, they knew they wanted Oblander as their advisor.
As the club’s advisor, she primarily performs behind-the-scenes work: reserving spaces, providing materials and connecting with off-campus human rights groups. While acting as a guide, Oblander encourages students to take the lead.
“I wanted to honor the trust that they put in me, to be able to support their student voice,” said Oblander.
She also works as an instructional coach in the IDS Mentorship Program. As an instructional coach, she meets with teachers one-on-one to work on their specific instructional goals.
Oblander is trained in cognitive coaching, which focuses on enhancing teachers’ thought processes, allowing her to help teachers process their thinking. With this training, another part of her job is helping educators prepare for meetings and planning their next steps in different educational processes. Typically, she will meet with at least three teachers per day and will occasionally observe her colleague’s teaching to gather data.
She was inspired to be a part of this program because of her experience with an instructional coach. Oblander’s coach helped her develop her teaching style, allowing her students to be more successful.
Oblander says she loves, “being able to support teachers so that they can support students.”
Her ultimate goal is to have a positive impact on as many students as she possibly can.
Oblander’s primary approach to helping her students is gathering feedback regularly. She asks her students to reflect on their learning and identify what they need from her to be more successful. Additionally, she encourages collaboration among students, both in the classroom and outside of it.
Oblander is very involved in the school and attends many school events, especially ones related to speech and music. She loves to support students as they pursue their passions, including extracurricular activities.
“I hope they (students) feel like I see them as a whole person and not just like my Spanish student,” expressed Oblander.
The effort and passion that teachers put in for their students often go unrecognized but is extremely important. The support and inspiration that teachers provide their students can be monumental, helping them feel a sense of connection with their community and letting them know that they belong.
