My name is Grace Cunningham, and I am a senior at Appalachian State University majoring in Elementary Education. My love for children, coupled with my desire to be a positive force in the community is what drives me to become an educator. I have a heart for service and I get great joy out of helping others and being a positive force in other’s lives. I decided to become a teacher when my nephews were getting into the public school system, and I became involved with their education.
I am currently teaching at Sharon Elementary School in Statesville, NC. I am working in the 5th grade under the supervision of Mrs. White and Mrs. Shook. Over the next few months, I will be shared between the two classes, teaching Science and Math in Mrs. Shook’s class, and Reading and Language Arts in Mrs. White’s class. I am excited to co-teach with both of these exceptional teachers, and know that I will grow significantly as a teacher during this period.
I feel honored to get the opportunity to complete my student teaching abroad, in Dublin, Ireland. I haven’t had the opportunity to travel prior to this experience, and I believe that it will help me gain a new perspective on different cultures. Also, I feel that I will learn about how to teach diverse students, and learn about a school system that is different than the ones I have been involved in thus far.