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Christine Nightingale, Elementary Teacher of the Year
Philosophy of Teaching
'Brains on Fire!'
“Your brain is on fire!,” I shout to Joey as he proudly answers the question of how many more cookies does Sarah have than Diane. Joey’s eyes fill with excitement and he grins from ear to ear. “Class, what do we say to Joey?,” I ask. My first graders happily sing, “F-I-R-E! Boom, boom, boom. F-I-R-E!”
As a first grade teacher I am reminded every day that it is my job to ignite my students’ enthusiasm for learning. I began my teaching career in San Antonio ISD where I taught first grade at an inner city school for four years. My students were mostly Hispanic and African American at-risk children. Every year they would come to school tired, hungry, scared and unprepared for a day of learning. “Miss de la Vega, I slept on the floor last night,” says Miguel. “Why?” I ask. “When you hear gun shots during the night you have to quickly move to the floor.”
Upon graduating from Purdue University, I thought I was ready to teach anywhere and anyone. Little did I know that as well as being their teacher, I was going to take on the role of mother, care taker, attention giver and advocate. It was my mission to make these innocent children feel as if they were on “fire”!
Would I need this same “fire” to teach first graders in Plano ISD? Absolutely! Robert shows no interest in school, struggles in all subject areas and rarely participates. “Robert, can you tell me a word that rhymes with pig?,” I ask. “I didn’t have my hand raised,” he replies quietly. “I know you’ve got some fire in your brain - let your fire explode!,” I shout out. “Well, the only word I can think of is big because Miss de la Vega talks about how her hair is big.” “Class, what do we say to Robert?” The “fire” continues even in another school district.
I began a small “fire” in San Antonio to jump start students' desire for learning. Fifteen years into my teaching career in Plano ISD, my classroom is a safe, secure, inviting and nurturing environment for a child’s brain to burn brightly. Anyone who walks into my classroom will see my students “movin’ to the groovin’” as we learn a dance to practice handwriting, spelling patterns or the cardinal directions. The “fire” roars when my students and I sing. When we sing we are happy and we want to learn. Songs help my first graders count money, take weekly spelling tests, practice story problem strategies, tell time and help their young minds get ready for the day. A simple song can boost my students’ self-esteem and allow them to be risk takers and life long learners.
I have been fortunate to teach in two extremely different school districts. The quality of the neighborhoods, the diversity of the children, the family culture and the level of parent involvement separate the two. My core philosophy of teaching bridges the two. Children need and want to feel as if they have the capability to succeed no matter their circumstances. Regardless of a child’s race, culture, academic needs and learning styles, I can ignite their enthusiasm and hook them into learning by jump starting their brains with “fire”.
My students leave first grade with a yearning to want to learn more. They will make their journey through each grade level to see if the “fire” in their brain will continue to burn. “Mrs. Nightingale, you give our brains so much fire,” an autistic boy, says to me. “Can my brain use that fire in second grade, third grade, fourth grade and fifth grade?” “You can use your fire throughout your whole life,” I reply as I hug him. As he walks back to his desk, he hums to himself, “F-I-R-E! Boom, boom, boom! F-I-R-E!” Every child’s brain has the potential to be on “fire”!
Educational / Professional Background
University Degrees
- Purdue University West Lafayette, IN - Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, 1990
Teacher Certification
- Texas Teacher Certificate: Provisional Elementary, Self Contained (Grades 1-8)
- Fall 2004 - Plano ISD Certification for Gifted and Talented
Teaching Experience
Bevelry Elementary, Plano ISD
- 1998 to Present - First Grade Teacher
Thomas Elementary, Plano ISD
- 1996 to 1998 - Thomas Elementary School First Grade Teacher
- Summer 1997 - Thomas Elementary School Summer School Teacher
John J. Pershing Elementary School, San Antonio ISD
- 1991 to 1996 - First Grade Teacher
Leadership / Committees
- 2009-2010 - Language Arts Vertical Team Member
- 2006 to 2009 - Faculty Council Representative
- 2006-2007 - Mentor to New Team Member
- 2004 to Present - Social Committee Chairperson
- 1998 to Present - First Grade Assistant Team Leader
- 1996 to Present - PTA Member
- 1998 to 2009 - Integrated Curriculum Vertical Team Member
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