Furman TESOL Student Named Finalist for 2020-21 SC Teacher of the Year

Summit Drive Elementary third grade teacher and current Master of Arts in Education Student Angelica Childes is a top 5 finalist for the South Carolina Teacher of the Year award. Angelica is specializing in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), one of the many specializations for master’s students at Furman.

From a recent article posted by Greenville County Schools:

” …Angelica Childes believes one of the most important issues facing new teachers is the need for mentoring during their first years of teaching. She cites class size, the achievement gap, government funding, and educational policy as major concerns that lead to teacher attrition.

“I have listened to the personal experiences of former coworkers who left the field,” Childes explained. “Navigating the new normal of the unique culture and high demands of the teaching career is a task that requires meaningful support, and I believe the teacher attrition rate can drastically decrease through mentorship.”

With that in mind, Childes dedicates her career to being an innovative mentor for new teachers, encouraging them to stay. After building strong relationships with her mentees, Childes observes their techniques, guides them in self-reflection, and coaches them by providing feedback.  She serves to reinforce and empower the voice of teachers who are standing up for the career and for students.

For two summers, Childes taught English to children in Uganda. This experience taught her the need for strong classroom management and even stronger relationships with her students. She refers to her students as “world changers,” showing them pictures from Uganda during the first week of school. Her goal is to give them a glimpse into the disparity in the world and to teach them gratitude. One year, students collected enough money to provide safe water systems for several families in Uganda.

“From year to year my students change, but the value I put on loving, respecting, and challenging the whole child remains consistent,” she said. “I am responsible for inspiring motivation to pursue the actualization of my students’ far-reaching dreams.”