Educator of the Week: Leah Wages
It’s time now to recognize this week’s Educator of the Week, brought to you by the Tennessee Education Lottery.
Leah Wages is a 3rd Grade ELA teacher at South Elementary School in Pinson.
Wages says she loves watching her students grow and learn. Wages also shares some hopes.
“I hope, for one, that they know that I love them and care for them and that I want the best for them, and that’s why I come everyday,” Wages said. “That’s one thing and I want them to know, that they are a valued member of our little community here in our classroom and they take care of each other and help each other, and then I can teach them what they need to learn cause I feel like when I get to their heart, then I can get to their head.”
Wages always knew she was going to be a teacher. She says it wasn’t a conscious decision, but something she was led to do.
Wages was inspired by her third grade teacher Doris Keller and was encouraged by many others.
“I’ve had some really great people that have been my mentors,” she said. “I even got to teach with my third grade teacher at Bolivar Elementary when I first became a teacher, so that was a learning experience, and I’ve worked with lots of amazing teachers as well that have encouraged me.”
Wages shares some of her own classroom practices.
“We do lots of examples. I love reading to them. I love hearing them read. That’s one of the biggest things is, they need as much practice to read as possible so they’re reading all the time. We’re writing every day. Different forms of writing. So, just getting them to do the writing and practice that reading helps them tremendously.”
Wages has encouragement for anyone hoping to become an educator.
“Just stick it out. Try to come back the next year. Get the help from mentor teachers that have been there in your building and seek out some guidance and just keep going, because I promise them that it will get better. They just need that more experience. Don’t give up on it the first year or so.”
Wages has now been teaching for thirty years.
Wages is now eligible for the Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Month award.
To vote for her or any other nominees, go to the Tennessee Education Lottery website.
To nominate an educator for our Educator of the Week award, email us at [email protected].
