Every year, each elementary and secondary school in the county selects a teacher of the year from their school. The News Courier will be publishing a few facts about each of the 2023 LCS teachers of the year during the next few weeks.
Name: Heather Thompson
School: Creekside Primary School
Grade(s) taught: 5th Grade — two years; 8th Grade — one year; 11th Grade English/Literature — one year, along with Theatre Arts/Mass Media 9th-12th Grades — one year; 1st Grade — one year; Kindergarten — ten years
Subject(s) taught: Grades K, 1, and 5: English, Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies; Grade 8: Reading; Grade 11: English/Literature; Grades 9-12: Theatre Arts and Mass Media
Degrees & Granting Institutions, Special Certifications and/or Training:
2000 Graduate of West Limestone High SchoolAssociates Degree in Theatre Arts from Calhoun Community CollegeBachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education (K-6) from Athens State UniversityMasters of Arts Degree in Reading in the Secondary Grades from Grand Canyon UniversityCertified to Teach Grades 7-12 in English Language ArtsLee vs. Macon TrainedLETRS Trained (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling)
How many years have you been in education? 16 years
How many are with Limestone County Schools? 16 years
What makes you proud to be an educator? Knowing that I have had the awesome opportunity of impacting the lives of others for the good makes me completely proud to be an educator. Whenever I see former students or parents and we are able to share stories from the past or discuss recent events in their lives, it is so comforting to know that I was able to have been a part of their lives through education.
What has your experience in the education field taught you? No matter what skills may need to be assessed or taught, the first and most important thing a teacher can do is establish a happy atmosphere for the child where they can feel safe and loved. As long as a child feels loved and appreciated first and foremost, successful learning will take place. A child will not learn and grow at his or her full potential if love is not present.
What do you enjoy most about working for Limestone County Schools? I have made some of the best relationships with others through the Limestone County School system. From building countless relationships with parents and students throughout the years to forming lifelong bonds with fellow educators, Limestone County has provided me with wonderful opportunities to grow in so many areas.
How do your students inspire you? My students inspire me daily by reminding me not only how eager they are to learn, but how eager they are to be loved and challenged in positive ways. They remember the tiniest little things we’ve done in class for fun that I thought were really nothing, but to them, they meant so much. They inspire me to want to continue bringing fun into our lessons, along with using as much play for learning as possible. Often times, when they think they are just “playing”, true learning is actually taking place and it is greatly inspiring as an educator to witness it.
What are your hobbies? I love spending time with my family, listening to music, taking photographs, cooking and shopping.
Favorite Quote: “Everyone longs to be loved. and the greatest thing we can do is to let people know that they are loved and capable of loving.” ~Fred Rogers (“Mr. Rogers”)