By: Benjamin Rickert, Communications Dept.
Ms. Rebecca Reeves wants her students to know that they are all her favorite.
Every day, the upbeat and energetic Fairview Elementary kindergarten teacher works to build trust with each child in her classroom. She also creates opportunities for them to laugh and learn together through active, hands-on activities.
“I work so hard to bring learning to life and to make sure every child’s needs are met,” she said. “When you have a close relationship… you are able to fully understand what that child needs in order to succeed.”
By building relationships, she determines the learning styles and personalities of her students, so she can celebrate their differences. Reeves learned this approach from her own fourth grade teacher Mr. Robertson during her childhood in Wisconsin. Mr. Robertson took the time to get to know young Rebecca and realized that her energy and big personality were wonderful traits to cultivate and support. This support deeply affected her self-confidence and desire to learn, and she knew she wanted to do the same for other children someday.
Rebecca eagerly transformed her family’s backyard tool shed into a “classroom” and invited her neighborhood friends to come to “school” there. She loved to prepare lessons based on her family’s travels, sharing all about her writing or graphs she created on the road. She may have been playing the role of the teacher, but she no doubt learned plenty about herself in the process.
Today, she holds an Elementary Education degree from Western Carolina University, and has taught at Fairview for more than six years. In April,
she was announced as the 2020 Reynolds District Teacher of the Year for Buncombe County Schools.
“Everyone learns differently,” Reeves said. “We’re not robots! We’re made as amazing, unique individuals. That’s what’s awesome about the world!”
Ms. Reeves’ students are consistently encouraged to use their whole bodies for learning, whether they are singing, dancing, acting out scenes from books they are reading, or exploring the outdoors. One recent activity involved investigating insects in their school’s garden using magnifying glasses. Another involved acting out scenes from a book they were reading. In all activities, she wants each student to have a voice and know that it matters.
“They need a teacher who’s rooting for them,” she said. “Everyone deserves to be able to shine and share their talents.”
___
Looking for more? Here's
Ms. Reeves reading one of her family's favorite books to students on Facebook.