By Laura Gwinn / lgwinn@crossville-chronicle.com
June 05, 2008 05:14 pm
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Cindy Andrews needed a personal change, and she got one when she became a teacher of sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders at Brown Elementary.
"Kids learn differently from the elementary to high school levels," she said. "The self-worth the kids show when they pass a test just boosts their self-esteem. They realize they're not different than anyone else."
Andrews was a paraprofessional in Colorado, a social studies teacher for 15 years, taught one year at Avery Trace in Cookeville, taught six years at Cumberland County High School and then transferred to Brown Elementary, where in her first year, she earned the top county honor: being named Cumberland County's 5-8 Teacher of the Year.
"I was very humbled to be named," she said. "There are so many talented teachers I was up against. I am actually very excited."
Among her characteristics of her teaching methods, she says she is patient, understanding, and sets firm expectations for each student.
"I love children," she said. "From the fifth or sixth grade, I wanted to be a third-grade teacher. That was because I loved my third-grade teacher."
She credits Peggy Paquette at Cumberland County High School with her teaching skills.
"I did practicums with Peggy. She is very organized in everything, especially with the way she handled kids."
Her greatest contribution is for her to work hard to get the kids to reach their full potential.
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