NEW MARKET, Ala. — Those who know this Madison County teacher believe she's a champion for her students every time she walks into her classroom. She herself says she shows up for her kids every day.
Meet this week's Top Teacher, Destiny Ferguson, from New Market Elementary School!
“I love my job. It's just every day I'm coming into a different environment,” said Ferguson.
Her love for teaching goes back to the days of her love for learning.
“Growing up, I always just loved school. I love school. I love going to school. I love learning,” said Ferguson.
Ferguson’s taught seven years overall, two of those years as a Special Education Resource Teacher.
A good friend inspired her to do what she does now. “I actually grew up with a student who was on the spectrum who was like my best friend and I kind of buddied up with him.”
She’s buddied up with him, and now she’s buddied up with her students.
“I just like to get a really good relationship with them. We have a little surprise for them. They have reinforcements that they get to earn. And just every day just showing up and making sure that they feel loved and safe and, you know, just ready to learn,” said Ferguson.
Ferguson said every day she feels she and her students are winning the day. “The big thing about special education that I love is, you know, in the general education classroom, you're celebrating wins every single day, but in the special education classroom, you're celebrating small wins every day.”
“I love seeing like excitement of kids and I love being able to celebrate those big wins or small wins,” added Ferguson.
Assistant Principal Jacob Guerin says Ferguson fosters an environment where her students can win. “Ms. Ferguson does a fantastic job working with our students. She makes them feel safe. Except that she does a good job of working on a lot of skills that we need to be successful here.”
“We like to have fun, too. So, every day it's just something different,” said Ferguson.
Do you know of a deserving teacher? Nominate them here!