Tonia Haislip

I am an AACPS: Literacy Coach, Bates Middle School | 2016 Teacher of the Year Nominee

My career as an educator has led me down several paths: classroom teacher, reading specialist, and literacy coach. All of these positions have only served to strengthen my commitment to education. I believe that building strong literacy skills leads to student empowerment, which in turn provides two of the greatest gifts we can provide to children: choice and freedom. As a literacy coach, I take great pride in facilitating student and teacher growth through an alchemy of collaboration, dedication, research-based methodology, and creativity. I am passionate about providing students with the tools that will allow them to blossom.

I am always aware that I work with a wide variety of people who all have unique stories and needs. Whether I am with students or teachers, the one goal I have is that of individualized growth. I never forget that I have an opportunity to impact lives. This effect may be large or small, but it should always be positive. My strengths as an educator can be distilled into several categories.

  • Respect: This includes honoring diversity, maintaining professional expectations for students and colleagues alike, and fostering authentic relationships.
  • Perseverance: Knowing that failure isn’t a dead end is integral for learning. Teaching perseverance by example and through reflection provides students with an invaluable life tool.
  • Relationships: Building and maintaining connections is what facilitates learning. I enjoy getting to know my students and colleagues, laughing with them, and providing support when they need it. Sometimes, listening is the most important thing I can do.
  • Expertise: By collaboratively sharing a broad knowledge base of pedagogy, best practices, and allowing for accountability via the use of data-driven instruction, I grow and learn with and from my students and co-workers.
  • Creativity: Inquiry and passion are the heart of learning. Combine these qualities with imagination and the most powerful learning will occur.

Teaching is part of who I am, and thank goodness there is still much to learn.