Teacher Feature

from Social Eastern Shore | December 2022/January 2023

Red Carpet PartyFairhope Film Festival

1ST GRADE TEACHER DAPHNE EAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Who, specifically, in your life influenced your decision to become a teacher? My elementary 5th Grade teacher, Martha Mixon, had a tremendous impact on me. She was always fun, happy, and included us. I felt like I belonged here. Also, Martha Robertson had a huge impact on me as well. Her daughter Julie and I were best friends growing up and spent a lot of time in her mom’s classroom helping out. Julie and I both later became teachers.

What is your biggest challenge as a teacher? My biggest challenge is the evolving requirements coming from the state and federal governments. There is always something new coming in for us to implement. Therefore, this is why time is a factor for so many teachers - trying to get everything in that we are required to do.

What do you feel is the biggest reward? I feel that the biggest reward is seeing my students enjoy learning. Also, when you see the progress that they have achieved over time is such a great feeling.

How do you make learning fun for your students? In order to make learning fun, I incorporate hands on activities, group activities, let students have a “voice”, and I just get silly and start singing sometimes to keep their attention.

If you could leave your students with one message, what would it be? If I could leave my students with one message it would be to go out in this world and make your mark. One of my favorite quotes is from Ralph Waldo Emerson- Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.