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Wednesday, May. 13, 2009

TEACHER OF THE YEAR PROFILE: Yvonne Murchison, Pearl Stephens Elementary

Class: Fourth grade

Experience: 30 years

Background: This week’s featured educator is a Georgia native, born in Thomasville and raised in Darien, where she graduated from McIntosh Academy. She then went to Fort Valley State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in early childhood education. She also has a specialist’s degree in early childhood education from Troy State University. After teaching one year at Eulonia Elementary in Darien, she taught for 24 years at Crawford County Elementary in Roberta. She has been in Houston County for the past five years, where she is a member of the Better Seeking Team at Pearl Stephens Elementary.

Why teaching?: “Every day is a rewarding and a challenging adventure for me. The success stories in my career keep me coming back for more. I come from a long line of teachers: My parents were both teachers, and they demonstrated the importance of education. I knew from a very early age that I would become a teacher, and my daughter became the fourth generation of teachers in my family.”

Best part of being a teacher: “Teaching is a blessing that I have chosen to undertake. I want to make a difference in our future generations. It takes hard work and a special person to be a teacher, but I enjoy the challenge. I became a teacher to make a difference in the lives of the students I come in contact with daily. I get to play an important role in their lives and they in mine. I have the opportunity to teach, encourage and motivate the learners. I get to teach bright, interesting students who are diverse in their thinking and activities. Teaching is a continuous learning and growing process. The look on a child’s face when they hold their understanding in mind is enough to keep a teacher hooked on education. Seeing the smiles of enjoyment on the students’ faces is the best part of being a teacher.”

Most challenging part of being a teacher: “Teaching has changed greatly, but the reward at the end is worth it all. Many changes have happened in education over the years, but the underlying theme has remained constant: To stay true to doing what is in the best interest of the students. The most challenging part of being a teacher is meeting the challenges of students on different levels within the classroom. Each student is unique and has a different challenge to overcome. Another challenge is trying to provide a secure and safe environment for students so they can focus on their education. Students are not able to leave issues from their home life at the door before entering the classroom. Students today need to be prepared for the 21st century, and the school in which I currently teach is a 21st century school with Promethean Boards in almost every room. New technology comes with new learning for students and teachers, and it is important for teachers to be knowledgeable and proficient with the current technology to make it most successful for students.”

If not teaching, what?: “I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.”

Advice for students: “The best advice to give students is to instill in them that knowledge is power, and without knowledge, you struggle. Learning is a tool that equips you to be successful in life. Learning is something no one can take away from you. Set your sights high and let no one stop you from achieving your goals.”

Advice to parents: “As a parent myself, I encourage parents to listen to your child, motivate and support him or her in whatever goal they have set for themselves. Be a frontrunner in education, show that you care and try to provide all the opportunities for your child to meet their goal. Parents need to play an active role in their child’s education.”

Home life: “I am married to Willie Murchison. I have two children: Jasmine Hill is a ninth-grader at Peach County High School; Candice Hill is a teacher at Miller Elementary in Warner Robins. I have one grandson, Cameron, who attends Miller Elementary as a kindergarten student. I volunteer with Girl Scouts as an assistant Daisy Troop leader at Pearl Stephens. I am a member of the Turner Chapter No. 270 Order of the Eastern Star. My hobbies include traveling and sewing, and I am a member of the Springhill Missionary Baptist Church in Marshallville.”

— Jake Jacobs