Briarglen Teacher of the Year
Carrie Reese – Fifth Grade
2012-2013 Teacher of the Year
Carrie Reese, a fifth grade teacher at Briarglen, was named the school’s Teacher of the Year for 2012-2013 by her peers.
Reese became a teacher to help people. “There is something so rewarding knowing that someone else is learning to be successful because of what you are doing to help them. For me, this is most rewarding when I work with young people. I enjoy their enthusiasm for learning and the excitement they show when they finally master something they’ve been working so hard to accomplish. I especially enjoy looking at the growth they have made throughout the year. My hope is that students leave my classroom better, more knowledgeable people than when they first walked in the door.”
Reese uses a variety of teaching methods in her classroom.
“My favorite teaching method, however, is one on one conferring with students,” Reese said. “I love sitting down next to a student and talking with them about their learning. There is something so powerful and rewarding about those 3-5 minutes. I enjoy hearing them talk about their writing, or the books they are reading in workshop, or the excitement they show when they’ve mastered a math goal! It’s my favorite part of the day!”
What is the most important issue facing students today to Reese?
“I feel the most important issue facing students today is the issue of bullying, whether it be physical, verbal, or even cyber bullying,” Reese said. “ I didn’t realize how prevalent it was until I started teaching. I have witnessed firsthand the effect it can have on a child and how it impacts their social and emotional well-being. I used to think it only happened in middle school and high school, but after teaching fourth and fifth grade for six years, I’ve come to realize that it happens in elementary school as well. I believe it has become a nationwide issue and that teachers, parents, administrators and students need to work together to prevent it from happening in our schools.”
Reese started teaching at Union in August of 2007. “One of the reasons I want to work at Union is because I am a former Union student. I am a Union lifer, starting my kindergarten year at Darnaby and then graduating in 2002. Union holds a very special place in my heart. I am so proud to be a Union Redskin.”
Reese plans on getting her master’s degree in the near future. “Currently, I am thinking about which area I would like to pursue. I have a passion for teaching students how to become successful readers and I love working with students one on one. My hopes are that I can soon pursue a master’s degree in Reading and to someday become a reading specialist.
Reese graduated from Union in 2002, and she graduated from Harding University in December of 2006 with a bachelor of arts degree in early childhood education and middle-level math and science.
