Educator of the Week: Laurie Paige | Chatham Central High School

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Grades/subjects you teach: 9th-12th grade Social Studies/AVID Coordinator and Elective Teacher

E-mail address: lcaudle@chatham.k12.nc.us

Date, place of birth: January 23 in Sanford.

Education: Chatham Central High School, UNC-Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in American History and a Minor in Geography. Teaching Licensure at Greensboro College.

Brief work history: I have worked at Chatham Central High School for 20 years teaching History and AVID.

Honors/awards: 2009 Chatham Central Teacher of the Year, 2019 Chatham Central Teacher of the Year, 2019 Chatham County Schools Teacher of the Year, 2019 National Staff Developer for AVID. Becoming the first Rural AVID National Demonstration School in the United States.

Hobbies/interests outside of educating: Professional photographer, watching my children play sports.

Family: Husband Shane of 18 years; sons Hasten, 15, and Anderson, 9.

What led you to a career in education? My mother led me to become and educator. The passion that she had for her career influenced me at a young age to follow in her footsteps.

Who were your favorite teachers as you went through school, and what did you learn from them? My favorite teachers were the ones that were the most organized and structured in class. They showed genuine concern for their students and had a passion for their subject area. I learned from these educators that teaching is more than preparing and presenting a lesson.

Has becoming an educator been all you expected it would be? Being an educator has far exceeded my expectations. I look forward to going to work everyday. Working with our youth is the most amazing opportunity. Everyday is a different day and although there are challenges the growth and learning that takes place each day makes every day worthwhile.

How has education changed since you were a student? I feel that education has become more challenging. When I was in school I feel that I education was about educating the brain. Today education is about educating the entire child.

What “makes your day” as an educator? To see students excited about learning and believing in their ability to overcome and achieve.

What’s working in schools today? I feel that today we are working on the social and emotional learning of students as well as their educational learning.

What’s not working? Education is relying on too many classes being taught online and not taught face to face.

What’s your favorite memory of your first year in education? The support that I received from my fellow teachers.

How would your “educator” persona handle you as a student? I was a good student so I think that I would have liked having me in the classroom.

Best piece of advice for other educators? Get to know your students. How do they learn, what makes them smile, and check on them when they are not smiling!

For students? Always always always give it your best. Always believe in yourself and know that you are prepared to take on the world!!

For parents? Be an active participant in your child’s education. Look at their planners, binders, and check grades on a weekly basis. Talk with your children about school.

What about your job would most surprise your friends who are not educators? How well behaved my students are!!

If you could somehow magically instill one truth into the heads of your students, what would it be? They can do what they work at!

When you think about today’s kids, you: Think about ways to motivate and push them to reach their goals.

If one of your students was asked for a one-word description of you by a student who hadn’t had you as an educator, what would that one word be? Organized

Favorite movie about school or education: The Ron Clark Story.

How would you summarize your philosophy as an educator? All students can.

What five things must every educator know?

1. Their students

2. How to talk with students

3. Classroom management

4. Content that they teach

5. Organization and Structure

What’s special about your education space at your school? My education space is cozy! I am surrounded in my space by books, pictures, awards, all which remind me daily of my goal in this room.

What’s special about your school? Our school is special because we are so small. We are a community school and we support each other. We may be small in size but we are mighty is spirit.

Most unusual question you’ve ever gotten from a student? “How did the buffalo provide shelter for the Native Americans when they moved all the time?”