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Shawn Watlington

2. School: Greensboro Middle College

3. Courses Taught: Honors United States History, Humanities and World Cultures, Current Events/Political Science

4. Number of years teaching: 14 years

5. What is your favorite aspect of teaching?

My favorite aspect of teaching is putting the lesson plans I have developed on paper into practice. I love to be in the classroom with my students every day. It is really exciting to see the light bulb go off in their heads when a lesson really reaches and teaches my students and they want to learn more.

6. What inspired you to become a teacher?

I had great teachers when I was in school. They had four things in common: first, they had high expectations for all their students. Second, they loved the subjects they taught. They considered themselves experts and went beyond the textbook to share ideas that interested them. Third, they could identify the unique interests and talents of their students and used this to provide meaningful assignments. Fourth, they formed strong bonds with their students and provided the nurturing we sometimes needed. These four factors meant that their classes were rich, interesting, and exciting for me. I decided to become a teacher because I wanted to replicate good teaching for the students in my classroom.

7. What were some of your most memorable moments that occurred this year while teaching?

There were three memorable moments that occurred this year:

1. A student in my class who had previously dropped out found learning in school once again to be exciting and engaging. On many occasions he would bring books, documentaries, pamphlets, and articles to share and he often led class discussions. This student’s renewed sense of purpose was contagious and spurred debates in class almost every day. During one debate, passions ran high between the young man and another student with an opposing viewpoint. Because our class culture required respect and tolerance of differing opinions, they were able to resolve their intellectual differences, and both openly acknowledged a respect for the other’s opinion. This exchange helped others see that it is possible to disagree and still respect one another.

2. After studying and reviewing for the End-of-Course test in US History, my students and I were exhausted and anxious to receive our scores. After announcing the results to individual students, one student approached me after class and said that it was the first time she had received an A in a class and on an End-of-Course test since she had been in high school. It was clear that this was a milestone for her and my hopes were that this small success would build her confidence and translate into even more success for her senior year and in the future.

3. For our annual school-wide picnic, two students and I organized a game of capture the flag. Using the rules of war fare, each team had to formulate a strategy. Watching both teams of fifty students charging toward each other with water balloons, pool noodles and Nerf darts, with school faculty cheering them on, was truly memorable. The teamwork and camaraderie present among such a diverse group of students was really exciting to see. Who says high school students will not do PE?

8. What advice would you give new teachers?

The best piece of advice I would give new teachers is to treat teaching as both an art and a science. Teaching is an art because our profession is about shaping young lives. Our students come from many backgrounds, experiences and viewpoints and often bring many needs to our classrooms. As a teacher, you can change the lives of children by building positive and caring relationships with them. My motto is that our children in the classroom are people first and students second. Once you reach the person you can teach the student. Teaching is a science because scripting detailed lesson plans requires hard work. These plans need to meet and exceed state standards, match the learning styles of students and help them to acquire the academic skills they need. If new teachers can manage to merge both the science and the art of teaching, I think they will find success in our schools and with their students.

9. What about teaching brings you the greatest joy?

The reward I find in teaching is in seeing my students grow academically and emotionally every day. I get the greatest joy from the close bonds I have formed with them. I often find it hard to turn them away when they want to stay after class, visit during another class period, or come back to see me after graduation. I have found that a teacher’s hard work and caring nature often results in good academic performance and helps to prepare students for the adult world of school and work. It is heartening to know that the daily work we do as teachers can make a real difference. That is my greatest reward.

10. What advice do you give parents?

Parents play an integral role in the learning and development of their school-aged children. The most important piece of advice I give parents is to maintain open and honest communication with their child’s teachers and other school staff. Working in partnership for the best interest of the student, parents and teachers must have ongoing two-way communication. They can also work together to provide support for academic and personal issues that occur and to provide rewards for any improvements they may see. Specifically, parents can provide more support by checking their children’s school work, asking teachers for any curriculum information, following up on grades and visiting or volunteering at their child’s school.

12. What do you want your legacy as a teacher to be?

I believe that my legacy is tied to the achievement and success of every one of the students who comes through my classroom door, leaving no one behind. I want my students to leave my classroom feeling good about learning and possessing the confidence to succeed at whatever they choose to be and do.

13. What would being selected as the 2006 GCS Teacher of the Year mean to you?

Being selected as the 2006 GCS Teacher of the Year would be a great honor to me because I would represent my teaching peers in Guilford County and celebrate and promote teaching excellence in the classroom.