Lindsay Carpenter’s job merges two of her passions: animals and students.
For Carpenter, a veterinary science instructor at the D26 Anderson High School Career Center, picking a career path was easy.
“As far as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to work with animals,” Carpenter said. “I see the struggle that technicians have because we are short-staffed.
“I (want) to bring more information out there to the students and show there are lots of different opportunities for students ... in the animal field, not just working in a hospital.”
Carpenter, who graduated from Anderson High School in 2010, recently received the Indiana Association for Career and Technical Education’s New Teacher of the Year award.
She enjoys watching each student “navigate and work through … problem solving through different challenges when doing hands-on with real patients,” Carpenter said.
“It’s great seeing those students who really weren’t sure what they wanted to do after high school and seeing their passion for veterinary medicine, or veterinary science, just grow.”
Carpenter’s students work with a variety of animals, from dogs to horses to lizards to turtles. Community members can bring their pets in for grooming services at no cost, though donations to the program are accepted.
Lyla Spencer, a junior at Anderson High School, said Carpenter is one of her favorite teachers.
“If I could come to this class all day, I would,” Spencer explained. “She comes in here with great energy. She has never not said good morning.
The assignments are “very straightforward,” Spencer added. “She gives you the assignment, you do it in class, and they are simple assignments. She helps you understand.”
Instead of making her students read from a textbook, Carpenter tries to make her lessons interactive. She incorporates games, projects and other engaging approaches to get students more involved in the work.
This article appeared in The Herald Bulletin.