Teacher Feature
Cindy Wagner, 3rd-grade teacher, Ralph Downs Elementary
Looking at the whole child rather than just at his or her academic success is one of the primary goals of 3rd-grade teacher Cindy Wagner. After attending Putnam City Schools for 12 years and teaching in Putnam City Schools for 16½ years, this Ralph Downs Elementary teacher puts her heart into her teaching. Below she describes her approach.
There are many things I love about teaching. I love when I’m teaching and I can see in my students’ faces when they understand. It’s as if a light bulb grows brighter.
I try to build a positive relationship with each of my students. I teach the “whole child” while trying to help them improve in all areas of their lives, not just academically. I also build good relationships with students so I can know their strengths, weaknesses and learning styles so that I can include a variety of teaching techniques into my lessons.
I develop units I that are of high interest to 3rd-graders. I then make sure the unit incorporates reading, language skills, vocabulary, science, social studies, and, if possible, math. I make sure students use all the resources available in the building, such as books with different reading levels, computers, posters and so on.
I try to not only have students tell their answers, but I also have them explain how they figured out the answer.
Before students are applying the skills or objectives I'm teaching, I have them summarize or explain it to a partner or a small group. Each week in my lesson plans I try to include many opportunities for partner work and group work so that all students have an active role in their learning and all students get the chance to be a leader
The successes I am most proud of are the students who make huge improvements in their skills, especially in math and reading. I also am extremely proud when former students visit me and tell me that something I taught them inspired them to do something great in their lives.
There are a lot of factors that contribute to children’s success in school. A positive relationship between students and teachers is a must. Students need good self-esteem and they need to be responsible for their actions and their work. They also need involved parents.
Parents can become involved by keeping an open line of communication with the teacher. This is especially important if they have questions or concerns. Parents also need to attend school events such as parent conferences, open house and parent orientation.
School was my favorite place to be when I was growing up. There was never even one day that I didn’t want to go to school. I have a vivid memory in kindergarten where I was sitting in a circle listening to my teacher, and I knew that I would become a teacher.