The week's Staff Spotlight goes to 3rd grade teacher, Abigael Canaday!
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in education? I have always known that I was going to be a teacher! From playing school with my sisters growing up, to watching my mom teach, to working in the Warrior Center in middle school, I knew that there was never going to be anything that compared to my passion of teaching.
2. What’s your favorite part of working with students?
My favorite part about working with students is getting to know them on a personal level and building meaningful relationships. I love learning about their favorite things, their family, and what makes them unique.
3. If you weren’t in education, what do you think you’d be doing?
If I wasn’t teaching, I would still want to work with children. Potentially either open a daycare or be a child life specialist!
4. Do you have any professional goals you’re working on this year?
I am currently working on my masters degree at UAB in Second Language Acquisition. I am also going to start LETRS training in the fall.
5. What’s one thing you love most about our school community? The unity at MVES is truly something special. This was my first year teaching, and the amount of support I have gotten from not only the third grade team, but also the rest of the staff, administration, and parents has been nothing short of amazing. I am so lucky to be apart of such an incredible school community.
6. Is there a particular moment in the school year you look forward to each year?
I love celebrating all the smaller holidays and national days. This year we celebrated dot day, Johnny apple seed day, smartie day, camping day, peep day, the Kentucky derby, and more. The big holidays get a lot of love, but there’s nothing better than transforming the room and creating new memories for days students might not have known about!
7. Do you have any hobbies or hidden talents?
I enjoy working out, playing volleyball, and reading by the pool!
8. What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I am the Thompson Middle School 8th grade volleyball head coach. I also coach beach volleyball in the spring and summer!
9. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would love to go to Australia, Dubai, or Thailand to see the beaches there!
10. What’s a food you can never say no to?
I can never say no to sour candy.. my students can attest to sour candy being my breakfast of choice the entire school year!