LEESBURG, Ga. (WALB) — A Kinchafoonee Primary School teacher is being recognized for her dedication to students and passion for education.

Miss Childs was surprised at the school after being selected as this month’s Mitchell EMC A+ Educator.

For Childs, teaching has been a dream since childhood. She remembers playing school with her stuffed animals and family before eventually turning that childhood dream into a career.

“It’s just something I’ve always dreamed of as a little girl,” Childs said. “I would, like, sit down with my stuffed animals and play school.”

After spending years teaching kindergarten, Childs now works with kindergarten, first and second grade students through early intervention.

She says one of the most rewarding parts of teaching is watching students understand something new.

“Just seeing the light bulb each day is new. It’s so exciting for the students,” Childs said. “And learning is so fun for them.”

Childs says no two days in the classroom are exactly alike, and finding new ways to keep students engaged is an important part of her approach.

“It’s not boring. Every day is something new,” Childs said. “You don’t get tired of doing the same thing.”

In her classroom, that includes hands-on activities, learning materials, songs and dancing to help students understand lessons in different ways.

“We do a lot of hands-on, working with manipulatives, doing songs or dancing and just getting them up and moving,” Childs said.

While teaching can come with difficult days, Childs says remembering why she entered the profession helps keep her motivated.

“Don’t let the hard days stop you because there are many hard days,” Childs said. “But just remembering why you got into teaching in the first place, so that kind of keeps you wanting to come back for more.”

Kinchafoonee Primary School Principal Pam Willis says Childs’ contributions go beyond her own classroom.

“Miss Childs is a foundation for our school,” Willis said. “She works with the early intervention program, so she helps support our students who need a little bit extra.”

Willis also describes Childs as a leader who is always willing to get involved in school activities and parent engagement.

“She is not only a teacher, but she’s a leader in our school,” Willis said. “Always ready to jump in on any of our parent engagement activities.”

For Childs, the recognition means a lot, especially knowing her dedication to her students is being noticed.

“It means a lot. It means that I am making a difference somehow,” Childs said.

Those who would like to nominate a teacher to be next month’s Mitchell EMC A+ Educator can do so here.

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