Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Week: Dixie James
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DECATURVILLE, Tenn. — “I love my kids. They’re my students of course, but once they come into my room they become my kids,” Dixie James said. She teaches second grade at Decaturville Elementary School. James said her favorite part of teaching is her students. “Throughout the years I love watching them go to school and seeing how they grow and become into these individuals that I hope one day will go into our community and help everyone.”
She said it was family and her teachers who inspired her career path. “I want to help the students and I want to make a difference in my community.” James says she encourages her students to build life skills along with learning the curriculum. “I feel like I also teach my students about how to be good helpers, how to be good friends and how we need to teach each other. She says hands-on activities are key. “We make different projects to go with our science lesson or with our reading lessons. We use a lot of manipulative in math so they can get that active hands-on learning.” Her nominator praised her patience and kindness, but James said it’s passion that drives her. “I love teaching — this is my passion. This is my calling. I don’t feel like it’s an occupation that you choose. I feel like you’re called to be a teacher, and I think the really great teachers, they know that.” James now will be eligible for the state-wide Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Month award. To vote for her or any of the other nominees, go to seehowitaddsup.com. To nominate a teacher for our weekly award, email us at educator@wbbjtv.com.
