Teaching

When I was a little girl, I always dreamed about being a teacher. Fifteen years ago that dream became a reality. I was hired by Sandy Valley Local Schools as a fourth grade teacher. When August rolled around, I was excited and nervous all at the same time. I remember setting up my classroom for the first time and getting my class list. These names represented the lives that I was going to be in charge of for the next 180 days. I could only hope that I would influence their lives in a positive way. It is hard to believe that "my" first class is in their twenties. Luckily, I was able to make connections with some of those students that have endured the years, and I still keep in touch with them. Every class that I have taught holds a special place in my part. Each year I learn as much from my students as they do from me. Each August I get that empty feeling in the pit of my stomach when the first day of school gets closer and closer. Then the excitement sets in, and I start looking forward to the new faces that will sit in my classroom and the lives that I get to influence. I hope that my students learn something in my room that will stay with them for the rest of their lives and realize that I do care about them and their futures. 

Teacher of the Year