Fifth-grade teacher, Glendover Elementary

Whenever someone asks me, “What do you do for a living?” I’m always proud to answer that I’m a fifth-grade teacher.  Teaching is a challenging job, but that’s the reason I love it so much. I always knew I wanted a job that was different every day and was never boring. 

The most vital aspect of being a successful teacher is creating an environment where not only do the kids feel safe, but it's also where they truly want to be. Creating a classroom where everyone is accepted and encouraged to grow to their fullest potential is very important to me. I also love having students from past years come back to visit because it lets me know my class was a place they remember fondly.

A big part of creating a nurturing environment for students is holding high expectations for everyone. I’m not satisfied unless everyone in my class is performing on grade level or above. The greatest gift we can give our children is the knowledge that we believe in them and expect the best from them.