ATHENS, Ala. — This teacher we’re about to meet doesn’t believe in putting her students in a box. In fact, her teaching isn’t one size fits all. Her approach is customized for every different kid in her classroom. It’s why one of her teacher’s aides nominated her!
Meet this week’s Top Teacher, Mindy Magsig, from Athens Elementary School!
Magsig teaches a SOAR class and its self-contained setting at the school. She teaches Kindergarten through Grades 3.
“It's just great to be able to help kids who may need a different setting,” said Magsig. “Some kids are more successful in different settings, and so I feel like my class is one of those settings.”
Magsig’s teaching methods are one-on-one and customized for each student. “We can kind of tailor things to meet them where they're at,” she said.
She teaches students with all kinds of needs and has been an educator for more than a decade. “This is year 13 for me,” said Magsig.
Magsig enjoys what she does, but also acknowledges some challenges along the way. “Sometimes there are boxes that I feel like we expect kids to fit in and they don't always fit in those boxes. So I think figuring out how to make what they're learning relevant and accessible to them.”
So Magsig, gets creative…
“It's fun. A lot of our kids learn through music and songs they memorize.”
But Magsig said she can’t do this alone. “I have some amazing instructional aides, Olivia Rodriguez and Courtney Williams both. And then we have other people who support and help us, too.”
FOX54 got to meet one of those teacher’s aide who, in fact, nominated her as Top Teacher! “Being in this classroom, she really opened my eyes to there are some great teachers out there and this is a very needed area of education,” said Williams.
Her principal, Amanda Tedford, is a witness to it too. “Her students have grown tremendously in so many areas. It's just been such a joy to watch,” said Tedford.
“Not every kid's going to fit into everything, and so I think it's great that we have the support and are able to do it for a classroom like mine,” said Magsig.
To nominate your favorite teacher to be a FOX54 Top Teacher, click here.
{WEB EXTRA: MINDY MAGSIG SURPRISED}
