Pinpointe Teacher Profile: Edith Patel

Edith R E N N E L L E L E M E N TA R Y Patel

P I N P O I N T E T E A C H E R P R O F I L E

Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson

Husband’s Name: Samir Patel

Children’s Names/Ages:

Anthony Patel- 26 in the Navy (step son) Adam Patel- 22 UH student (step son) Emet Patel-10 • Emry Patel-9 • Eli Patel-8

Education (College attended/Degree Received):

Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education

What was your motivation to become an educator?

What motivated me to become a teacher was my mom. Although she wasn’t in the profession of Education, she t aught me so much and with such patience and passion. I f eel that one of my best qualities is my patience and I learned that from her. In teaching patience is very important.

Campus/Teaching Assignment:

Rennell Elementary: 2nd Grade Math and Science Teacher

Years of Experience (Same Assignment/Campus):

I am starting my 17th year of teaching and all my years have been in CFISD- I have taught High School, Mi ddle School and Elementary School.

Recall one memorable teaching moment.

Wow! I have so many memorable teaching moments! If I h ad to choose just one, I would say it was when I was having Meet the Teacher a couple of years ago. My student walked in and I introduced myself to my new kindergartner. As I talked to him his mom just looked at me and then asked, “are you Mrs. Saldana?” to which I responed, “yes, that is my maiden name, and now I am Mrs. Patel”. She said she couldn’t believe it! That I had been her middle school Spanish teacher years ago and that I made a big impact in her life. She said I was her favorite teacher. She said that she was extremely excited that now her son was able to be my student. A couple of years later when I moved schools, I was taking all of my files out and I started r eminisc ing o n some old student notes (at one of my school’s for teacher appreciation week, they would give each student five 5X7 lined index cards and have them write a note to some of their teachers.) I ran across her note to me!

I do keep student notes and sometimes feel that I made the biggest impact when I taught Middle School and High School. I think those are difficult stages in student lives where they real ly do need teachers. I often contemplate a bout returning to Middle School as a Spanish teacher, because although I LOVE Elementary, I wonder if I am making a big enough difference in my students lives.

My “Super Power” is:

Being able to incorporate movement and song to my curriculum. I feel that kids need movement whether it’s as part of a small brain break, or to help them learn. Songs also help the brain learn and retain information. This also makes learning fun! And one of my goals is to make my classroom a fun place where students want to be and where they are excited to come back to!

What do you se e as your biggest challenges this year?

What will be very challenging this year is being able to give 1 10% to both Face to Face students and our Connect students. I strive to be my best to teaching my students, but with two teaching platforms this year, I know it will be a challenge. That being said, it will not stop me from giving my best to both sets of students. I will actually use my campus’ moto: To p erform better today than we did yesterday. I will strive to improve day by day.

Finish this sentence: If I hadn’t chosen a career in education, I would have pursued…

Owning my own Dance Studio

Favorite leisure activities:

Yoga, Pilates, Ballet/Dance Classes, Family Board Game Nights, Friday Family Grill & Swim weekends, enjoying our wonderful neighborhood amenities with my family such as: fishing, biking, w alking, paddle boarding, boat rides. I am also a HUGE Texans fan! I will miss going to all of the Texans games this year!