We all remember a teacher who inspired us. An individual who has always believed in us, supported us through challenges, sparked our passion for a topic, or inspired us to keep going when we were discouraged. For me, I was fortunate enough to have many teachers who shaped my academic career and passion for education. In addition to being teachers, these individuals served as mentors, nurses, counselors, parents, friends, and ultimately, role models.
Teacher Feature, a new blog series by The School Planner Company, will highlight educators from all over the country. These teachers and education entrepreneurs make an impact in and outside of the classroom sharing valuable knowledge with students and fellow teachers through influential sites and blogs. We are excited to launch the Teacher Feature blog series and bring awareness to how much teachers do each day, the relationships they foster with their students, and ultimately, how we as a community can best support them. Look forward to new teacher features regularly!
If you know an amazing educator who you think we should feature, please let us know by emailing bmctigue@mimeo.com.
Aimee Scott, Aimee’s Edventures
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
When I was younger, I played “school” with my siblings. I loved decorating my playroom like a classroom and helping my siblings with the “homework” I made for them. Every time I stepped into a classroom during college, I felt like it was where I belonged.
What do you hope your students take away from your classroom?
I hope they know that they can do whatever they set their minds to and how loved and capable they are.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to a new teacher?
It’s no secret you’ve got hard days ahead of you. Take some time each day to focus on the little glimmers in each day instead. A student wrote one more sentence today than they could yesterday? Celebrate it! The student you’ve been working on social skills with smiled at another class mate? Happy dance! When the stress gets to be too much, take a step back and have fun with your students.
What is the value of students writing by hand versus digital only?
We all love to see what our handwriting looks like! I geek out over what a student’s writing can tell you about what is happening inside their brains. A student’s writing can tell you how they are processing information, how their fine and gross motor skills are developing, if they need to be referred to the speech pathologist, and so much more.
What is one fun way you have motivated your students?
At the beginning of the year, my students were learning how to construct sentences. The term “construct” reminded me of construction, so I had them dress up like little construction workers in hard hats. I did an easy classroom transformation with caution tape and yellow butcher paper. It was such a fun day!