Each week during the school year the Houston Peach spotlights a Teacher of the Year at one of the 43 public schools in Houston and Peach counties.

Class: First grade

Experience: 9 years

Background: This week's featured educator is a product of Peach County's public schools, having graduated from Peach County High. She attended Fort Valley State College, now Fort Valley State University, earning bachelor's and master's degrees in early childhood education. In June 2005, she obtained a specialist degree in curriculum/instruction management and administration from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Why teaching: "As a young child, I was always excited about going to school and learning new things. Having teachers who really made learning fun was a major factor that influenced me to become a teacher. I still recall when I was in kindergarten, how we would sing songs for each letter person and play with the wooden shoe to learn how to tie our shoelaces. As I became older, I began to help my teachers with filing papers, cleaning desks, erasing the board and running errands for them. By fourth grade, I knew what I wanted to be - a teacher. Another factor that influenced me to become a teacher was having an aunt who was a special education teacher. I would spend weekends with her and notice how she would prepare lessons for her students. I thought she had the neatest job. After graduating from high school, I enrolled at Fort Valley State College and was later admitted into its teacher education program. I became well acquainted with my professors and worked really hard to graduate with honors. During my senior year, I did my student teaching at Hunt Elementary School in Fort Valley under a former Teacher of the Year, Pamela Moore. Mrs. Moore allowed me to lead her class discussions, assign homework and assist her in numerous ways. Having such an opportunity in the classroom made a huge impact."

Best thing about being a teacher: "Having the opportunity to be a positive role model and making a lasting impression on our youth of today is the best thing about being a teacher to me."

Most challenging thing about teaching: "The most challenging thing about being a teacher is being able to work with students with limited resources and space."

If not teaching, what? "I have not really considered another profession other than education. If I was not in the classroom teaching, I would still be in the field of education as a media specialist, school counselor, curriculum director, principal or even assistant principal."

Advice to students: "Let your light shine. Education is the key to success."

Advice to parents: "Parents make the difference. Parents must become more involved in their child's education. Students do a much better job when they see their parents interested."

Home life: "My daughter, Tiara, attends Byron Middle School. My hobbies include shopping, reading and watching TV. I am an active member of Fort Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., where I am the correspondence secretary. I am a member of the Peach Association of Educators chapter of Georgia Association of Educators, and the assistant teacher of Zellners Chapel Sunday School class, and I serve on Fort Valley State University's National Youth Sports Program."

This article was provided by: Macon
written by: Jake Jacobs