Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Week: Steve Webster
[gtxvideo vid=”YnUM57ec” playlist=”” pid=”OTSe9U1y” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/YnUM57ec.jpg” vtitle=”Educator of the Week PKG”]
JACKSON, Tenn. — “We just want the kids to know that we do care and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” Steve Webster said. Webster teaches 4th grade mathematics at Lincoln Elementary School and has been teaching for four years. “I always say if you can reach them you can teach them, so I had to come up with my creativity that allows them the opportunity to learn.” He goes above and beyond the call of duty, not only for the students in his class but for all students. “Children who make principal list and honor roll, I take one parent and that child our for nine week dinner,” he said. “We recognize them by giving them their certificate of achievement at the dinner.” Webster says he is a tough teacher but he wants to guide his students to success. “You’ve got to have a passion to teach. I know people here have a lot of horror stories, but guess what — these kids want to be loved. So often they come from unfortunate backgrounds.” He says he can relate to some of the challenges that his students face. “Unfortunately for me, I came from one of those backgrounds, the streets of Philadelphia,” Webster said. “It allows me the opportunity to go where they’ve been.” Webster says students are his favorite part about his job, so he pushes them to be the best they can be. “Their desire to want somebody to understand them, their desire to want to learn, that most mentality that they have is they want to be given an opportunity.” Webster will now be eligible for the statewide Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Month award. To vote for him or any of the other nominees, go to seehowitaddsup.com. To nominate a teacher for our weekly award, you can email us at educator@wbbjtv.com.
