Tori Peddicord
I am a: Library Media Specialist, Southern Middle School | 2017 Teacher of the Year Nominee
I believe that education is a process in which students are able to foster talents and teachers can open windows of opportunity for a child’s future. Receiving an education should inspire and encourage students to strive to be productive members of a community, great citizens, and meaningful contributors of society. Each child is unique, and as such each child learns in a different way. It is necessary for every educator to differentiate and diversify their instruction so that children can be exposed to various styles of learning. In this way, students are able to learn in different ways and have exposure to new methods that may help them gain a better understanding of the concepts being taught. As a former special educator at Southern Middle School, I had the privilege of working with seventh grade students in both Language Arts and Social Studies. Through collaboration with my dynamic co-teachers, I plan, modify and develop lessons to meet the needs of our diverse population. While piloting the seventh grade guided reading program with my co-teacher this year, I strive to make sure that my students experience joyful learning through kinesthetic, multi-media, theatrical, and artistic activities. Both my special education students and my standard students need guidance and patience as they navigate how to grasp the rigorous material they encounter. It is important to me to support and encourage students to take risks, self advocate, and grasp ownership of their learning. As a sponsor and director for the SMS theater company, I work with students to enhance their talents. Many students join the club to perform on stage, while others join to work behind the curtain–all seeking acceptance and a safe place to belong. When students can recognize that everyone has value, and that value may appear different for individual people, they can begin to strive for excellence in everything they do. It is my goal to be the beacon that guides students to find such worth.
