14 | HUNTSVILLE LIVING | JULY 2024
Teacher of the Year
Ciara Bradley
14 | HUNTSVILLE LIVING | JULY 2024
What is your current position and how long have you been there ?
This year will be my first year as an Assistant Principal . I will be the 6th grade AP at Mance Park Middle School ( MPMS ). Before this transition , I was the family consumer science teacher at MPMS that did FCCLA .
Where did you grow up , and how has that shaped you into a better educator ?
I grew up in Huntsville , TX . Huntsville is a small community where I learned the importance of community involvement . I had an incredible role model , Linda Bone , who got me involved in community service activities throughout my entire high school experience . That shaped my role as an educator because I instill the importance of community involvement with my students .
Where did you go to college , what did you study , and what organizations and activities did you participate in in school ?
I went to Sam Houston State University , where I majored in history . While at SHSU , I was a McNair Scholar and a Hawkins Scholar . I was a part of the honor society for education majors , Kappa Delta Pi . I was a welcome week leader at SHSU and had the opportunity to show groups of incoming freshmen what SHSU campus life is .
What makes a good teacher ?
A good teacher is empathetic . They can understand their students but not make excuses for them . A good teacher is passionate about teaching and enthusiastic about the student finally making the connections . A good teacher communicates effectively and understands that listening is a part of communication . A good teacher can build relationships with the most challenging students and establish a respectful relationship . They can encourage and support students in and outside of the classroom . A good teacher has strong classroom management routines and procedures ( Mrs . Nash ).
Why is every child teachable ? Every child is teachable because every child has a growth mindset . It is up to the teachers and parents to create a supportive , individualized , and engaging learning environment to help a child activate this growth mindset .