Coral Shreve
I am an Independent school: Pre-School Teacher, St. Paul’s Lutheran School | 2023 Independent Teacher of the Year Finalist
We are excited to spotlight Coral Shreve. Coral Shreve is a 2023 independent Teacher of the Year finalist.
Ms. Shreve was nominated by the school’s principal, John Maxwell.
The Saint Paul’s Lutheran School Pre-K teacher is an Ashford University alum who brings confidence, community, caring, and leadership to her students and peers.
We had an opportunity to talk with Coral about her year as a Independent Teacher of the Year finalist. The full video conversation will be posted in this space after the 2023 Excellence in Education awards dinner.
Here are a few highlights of the conversation:
Describe who you are in 5 words or less.
Wife, mother, teacher, friend, but maybe not in that order. I appreciate that my children remind me when to wear which hat, they keep me grounded.
Tell me one thing you remember about your first year teaching.
When you have pre-schoolers, there are so many moving parts and children. So I remember constantly counting to make sure I had everyone. Someone said it’s like herding cats and I think back then I could relate to that.
Looking back, what would you tell your former self about your potential as an educator?
You can do it and that is where you belong. When I am in the classroom, it doesn’t feel like a job. We create our own world.
What one thing do you love about working in your school? with the students? and with the community?
I love working with the ladies in the Early Learning Program. A cool part is when it comes full circle and you teach children of former students. We often get a laugh looking at the connections when “we see that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
What is your favorite memory of your family and friends supporting you on your journey as an educator?
My daughter went to the school I teach at and until 8th grade. On the day she found out I was nominated for this award, she told me how proud of me she was. It really touched me because it’s different when kids watch you grow and help you see your own growth.
COVID really challenged teachers, students, families, and schools on a level beyond imagination. How has the experience of working through COVID and then returning to “normal” instruction made you a better teacher and person?
It really has given me the reality check to really stop and smell the roses. I really stop more now and listen more intently when kids tell you stories about their lives. It help me learn where I can be more easy going and enjoy my time with the kids.
Thinking about the future of education, what are you most excited about for educators? for students? and for schools?
The collaboration with other teachers in person and even more so in virtual capacities. We can feed off of each other and you can be a world away. We really know were often living shared experiences. For the students, they are so resilient. They really handled this time with a maturity that was commendable.
What is one hidden talent you have that no one, or few people, knows about and would surprise them?
I’ve been bowling since I was 16 and I play in leagues.
If you had to make a time capsule about this year as a teacher of the year finalist and you had to include an item, an image, a quote and a song/melody, what would you include?
The picture would be my class, family and the teaching team I work with. I have lots of support and the picture would embody that. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference” is the quote. The item would be my notebook and pen. Even with embracing technology, I still love having written lists. The song would be “You Say” by Lauren Daigle.
For the last question, what is one reason why someone should choose to become a teacher?
I’ve never taught the same way twice and no two days are the same. Remember that the kids think that you are awesome. I constantly think of how proud I am of my kids and that is rewarding. I’m unsure what other career you can do that will give you what teaching gives as you watch your kids learn and grow.
Louis Nesbitt, PDM Department
The journey of an educator is a lifetime. We are thankful to those who have chosen to embark on this path. As a community, one of our greatest capacities is availability, so when the opportunities arise, find your own way to support education.
