Meet Walking Classroom Ambassador Joy Poole. Ms. Poole uses The Walking Classroom with fifth graders at St. Elmo Elementary School in Texas. She has worked in education for 29 years, and is starting her fifth year using The Walking Classroom.
What are your memories of yourself when you were that age?
I was a roller skater, so I loved skating after school. In fifth grade, I was the fifth best skater in Michigan in figures that year.
What led you to become an educator?
I always wanted to become a teacher. While in high school, I started teaching Sunday school at my church, and I loved working with kids.
Share your educational philosophy in one to three sentences.
Exemplary Education for Everyone — that is my school’s motto. I believe we need to teach all children so they may learn and be successful on their level.
What is your favorite content area/topic to teach? Why?
I love science because I love hands-on learning.
What is your favorite podcast or Walking Classroom memory and why?
I love the ones that we want to research more about or see a clip online after listening. The kids loved Casey at the Bat (Complete-#29, 5-#5) and Who’s on First? (Complete-#122, 5-#19) It is much so fun to introduce my students to such classics.
What is your best teaching memory?
I love the lightbulb moments, those moments when you see the learning happening. It’s great to witness the successes of those who didn’t think they could do it when they do succeed.
What advice would you give to a new teacher?
This is the best job. You get to close the doors and work the magic. No two days are alike, and no two children learn the same way. It is fun to figure out what works best for certain kids.
Don’t give up. It is worth the challenge. The most challenging students usually push you to become a better teacher.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I started working out at Orange Theory and so does my favorite Instagram principal: Gerry Brooks. I love to follow teachers/principals on Instagram and twitter.
Name something you’d like to cross off your bucket list.
I’d love to see Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.
What a treat to read the above responses! You were an excellent, child-centered teacher here in the Spanish Immerison program at Lake Anne. What a gift you were to the school, the program, and, especially, the students!