About Caroline Sweet
AISD Teacher of the Year 2011 - _Austin Independent School District

Caroline Sweet is a bilingual fourth grade teacher at Metz Elementary in Austin ISD and was named the AISD Teacher of the Year for 2011. She studied Broadcast Journalism and Spanish at the University of Missouri, but quickly realized that was in the wrong field. Caroline has been inspired by her mother who taught in AISD for 35 years. Caroline is currently working towards a Masters degree in bilingual education at the University of Texas. Technology is a priority in her classroom, and she tries to make sure that students use computers daily. Caroline is very committed to the East Austin community she serves, and values bilingualism and cultural diversity. She hopes to inspire students to create and innovate using the different kind of technologies they experiment with in her classroom.

What are the key things you'd counsel someone coming into the workforce?
When I work with new teachers, I tell them to be a little radical when they teach. I want them to find the kind of literature that really gets kids talking about deep issues like poverty and racism. I want them to get kids thinking in Social Studies about alternative viewpoints that might not be in the history book. Classrooms have to become a place for children to grapple with big issues and find their own voices and identities.
What is the most significant issue you would like to solve?
Poverty. Most of the students I work with live in poverty. I know that as they grow it is likely they will encounter social barriers because of their socioeconomic status. I hope all of them will be presented with wonderful opportunities to help them reach all their goals, but I know for many that may not happen.
What is the most rewarding thing about working in public/social service?
The most rewarding thing about working with kids is being able to learn and grow with them. I learn new things all the time as we go through lessons together. I love getting to know my students and their families and hearing their stories.
When you were 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was 10, I was certain I was going to be a television journalist. My fourth grade teacher invited one of his friends who worked on the local news station to come eat lunch with my class one day. Marla Brown sat next to me. In my mind, she was a huge celebrity. I kept that childhood dream of working on the news all the way through college. But eventually found it that it wasn't for me.
How long have you lived in Austin? What brought you here?
I was born and raised in Austin. I attended Brentwood Elementary and then my family moved to Georgetown. But I always knew I would come back to Austin.