Emmi Sass
Tell us a success story about a student you helped:
One recent success story comes to mind of a student I had last
year with a sizeable and noticeable birthmark on her leg which
happened to change color depending on her body temperature.
This student usually would have it covered up; however, warmer
weather days were upon us. Her mother had mentioned that she
was self-conscious about it and worried what the others would
say or think. I assured the mother she would be taken care of
and took a few minutes to speak with my student about it; what
she liked about and what she didn’t like about her birthmark.
After our morning group, I gathered the students in an informal
grouping and we discussed our similarities and dierences. It
went from height, colors, glasses, freckles which led to markings
like scars and birthmarks. The children were so interested to see
where their birthmarks and scars were and telling the stories
of how they came about. I did not call on the student with the
noticeable birthmark purposely; I felt that if she was ready, she’d
come forward on her own. My heart leapt when her hand raised
and she proclaimed she had a birthmark on her leg and walked up
to the front by me to show her classmates. She explained how it
can change color from red to purple depending on if she was hot
or cold. The students thought this was the coolest thing and had
so many questions and positive remarks to say. It was a beautiful
moment for her and for me watching the children learning about
themselves and others and how the barriers of fear were broken.
The student continued to show more confidence each day and
no one mentioned her birthmark.
Jill Brown
Current school and grade (subject):
Primrose School at Oregon Park – kindergarten
Other schools/grades/subjects previously taught:
Keshet (Northbrook, Illinois) – special education
sixth through ninth grades; Our Savior Preschool
(Florida) – pre-K; Peace Lutheran (Florida) – pre-K;
Primrose School (North Naples, Florida) — pre-K;
Primrose School at Oregon Park — pre-K
How many years have you been an educator? 14
Who was your favorite teacher and what did you learn from them?
My favorite teacher was my fifth grade teacher Miss Limbress. I
thought she was the most wonderful person I had ever met; she was
kind, had a free spirit and she really got to know her students. I wanted
to be just like her and teach the way she did. She ended up getting
married the year she taught me and she invited me to her wedding. I
can remember that she was married beneath the trees in her parents’
backyard – I thought that was so fitting of her. Even at that young age,
I remember how special it was to be a part of my teacher’s special
day. The connection Miss Limbress created between her and her
students was something I really took to heart. I now try to foster
relationships with each of my students because I believe that in a
teaching environment, it is imperative for students to feel like they
can trust their teacher. This leads to a more fruitful learning because
students can feel safe to open up, ask questions and make mistakes.
Truly getting to know one’s students is an incredibly valuable lesson
Miss Limbress taught me.
Current school and grade (subject):Mount Paran Christian School – second grade
Other schools/grades/subjects previously taught:Mount Paran School – third and fifth grade; The Walker School – third and fifth grade
How many years have you been an educator? 14
JANUARY 2022 | COBB LIFE 21