Christina McCall
I am a: Third Grade Teacher, Deale Elementary School | 2018 Teacher of the Year Nominee
What do you want to be when you grow up? For as long as I can remember, my answer has always been, “A Teacher!” It was a desire that remained through my childhood and lead me to the teaching profession.
Throughout my years in the classroom, my teaching has certainly evolved. However, one thing that has always remained the same is the significance of the academic and personal connections I make with my students. Everything done in the classroom is an opportunity to learn about my students. Finding their academic strengths and areas for improvement through whole group lessons, small group work, partnering, and one-on-one conferring helps me identify the needs of my students and what I can do to best meet those needs. The more I learn, the better able I am to provide engaging lessons that support them in growing as learners and rise to their fullest potential.
Equally important are the personal connections I make with my students. There is great significance in learning about students personally and beyond the classroom. Student surveys, morning meetings, fostering connections between students, and building relationships by getting to know about each other’s interests, families, and experiences builds trust and respect that makes each member of our classroom community feel cared for, accepted, and safe. I want each student to know that I value them and the relationships we form.
I hope my passion for teaching inspires my students to work hard and do what brings them happiness. I want students to recognize the value of education and understand its relevance beyond our classroom. I strive to offer, for my students, the experiences I had with incredible teachers that encouraged and inspired me as a young student and provided models of all that I want to be as a teacher. My mission is to connect with my students, provide a strong academic foundation, and help them to see that they are capable of amazing things.
