January 8, 2015

Mrs. Melanie
Knight is a first year middle school teacher at Wheeler County Middle School,
in Alamo, Georgia. She is a graduate of Brewton Parker College’s education program
and teaching is in her family tree. She is the daughter of teachers; her father
was also a superintendent of Wheeler County Schools as well as her grandfather.

As of the
interview, Mrs. Knight is in the middle of her first year of teaching. She uses many instructional strategies, small
groups, individual practice, integrated technology, word walls, and other
techniques to help the kids get the content. When I asked her where she learned
to use these she credited other staff in her school as important mentors.

I had the
great fortune of watching her teach. Not only does she have good command of
many strong instructional strategies but she also emphasizes a need to develop
the students’ understanding of content and academic vocabulary. She uses TIPS
(Terms Information Pictures and Sentences)…this is an adaption of something she
learned from Learning in the Fast Lane by Suzy Pepper Rollins and what she has
been taught by other staff members to develop the students’ understanding of
vocabulary.

Mrs. Knight
emphasizes the need to create engagement. It is quite noticeable as the kids
are up and working and part of the class. They are not passive, but active.

She also has developed an excellent rapport
with the kids. She commented, “I’m strict but friendly.” When you walk in her
class you are automatically aware that it is a bright and cheerful place to be.
She noted, “I use bright colors to help me create a welcoming classroom.”

When I asked
her what has been most helpful for her during her first year in teaching she responded,
“Help and support from the school staff and family members.” She continued, “It
is helpful to have someone to talk to…to talk things out.”

She is a big
fan of Pinterest and finds that the social media tool is a great help for
getting ideas and support for working with the kids.

I asked her
what advice she would give to someone who is getting ready to find their first
teaching position and she replied, “Be open to new ideas…Be open to
learning…learn from everyone around you.”

Mrs.
Knight’s energy and focus on the kids is wonderful!
Enjoy!
Length 29:28