Taking turns leading a lesson, helping when the other forgets an
instruction and, occasionally finishing each other’s sentences, the
two teachers work seamlessly together. And for good reason: Not
only are they sisters, but they’re identical twins.
Hollister – In the center of the classroom Tuesday, two groups of kindergartners sat cross-legged looking up at their teacher as she asked them about the day’s weather.
The students exclaimed nearly in unison that it was sunny, putting their arms over their head in an arc to form the sun.
While teacher Jamie Fowles talked about the weather and led the group of nearly 40 children in the alphabet song, a second teacher – Kellie Pellin – walked among the students, ensuring they remain on task.
After Fowles finished the morning exercises, Pellin came to the front of the classroom to give the students further directions on their language arts lesson.
Taking turns leading a lesson, helping when the other forgets an instruction and, occasionally finishing each other’s sentences, the two teachers worked seamlessly together.
And for good reason: Not only are they sisters, but they’re identical twins.
“We just think so much alike. We play off each other and work well together,” Pellin said.
Fowles and Pellin, 26, are kindergarten teachers at Cerra Vista School. Although each has her own class, the rooms are separated only by an accordion wall, which they open for about half the day when the two teach together.
The Hollister natives say the couldn’t have imagined they would be doing this together – even a few years ago.
“We didn’t think this opportunity would happen for us,” Fowles said. “It just worked.”
Fowles always knew she wanted to teach, but it wasn’t until college when Pellin realized teaching young children was the career direction she would take, too.
“We went to Gavilan (College) together and over our first semester, we both decided to take our classes together. We bought our books together and chose all our classes together,” Pellin said.
After graduating with their teaching credentials from California State University, Monterey Bay, Fowles and Pellin sought out jobs. They were surprised to receive many job offers, but Cerra Vista stood out for both of them. Here, they were each offered a kindergarten position.
“When they called us and said we were going to have adjoining classrooms, we were so excited,” Pellin said. “We were just hoping to get a job.”
It was Cerra Vista’s Principal Pam Little, vice principal at the time, who suggested they teach collaboratively.
Now entering their second year as kindergarten teachers, the two say they couldn’t imagine a better setup.
“Because we get to use two brains, we get to collaborate and think creatively,” Fowles said. “Two brains are always better than one.”
Pellin said it was helpful they could brainstorm on their lessons together, and it pushed each to think of better ideas.
For students, it doubles the number of classmates and offers an opportunity to meet and socialize with more kids.
“My favorite thing is when I work with this class and the other class,” said Joseph Dineen, 5.
Parents seem to appreciate the setup, too. Bea Salazar, who volunteered in the classrooms Tuesday, said she appreciates that the children can interact with more peers.
She, in particular, is a fan of the arrangement. She has twins in the twins’ classroom.
Her son, Caleb, is in Fowles’ classroom. And his twin, Julianna, is in Pellin’s.
“I was hoping they would be together, but it turns out this was a little better,” Salazar said.
For Fowles and Pellin, teaching together has allowed them to grow closer. Pellin said she hopes she can continue teaching alongside her twin “forever.”
“We get to plan together, we get to teach together,” she said. “We get to stay close as sisters.”
