EDUCATION: bachelor of arts in English adolescent education from College of Saint Rose; master of education with a reading specialist concentration from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
YEARS TEACHING: four
MY GREATEST CHALLENGE AS A TEACHER IS: consistently ensuring my classes are relevant, thought-provoking, and accessible for all of my students.
Todd Zimmerman
AGE: 45
SCHOOL: Ayden Middle School
I TEACH: exceptional children
HOMETOWN: Hughesville, Pennsylvania
EDUCATION: bachelor of science in special education, West Chester University
YEARS TEACHING: 16
WHAT INSPIRED ME TO BECOME A TEACHER: I chose to become a special education teacher to fight for the rights of those who needed extra support.
Trey Weaver
AGE: 35
NAME: C.M. Eppes Middle School
I TEACH: students with autism
HOMETOWN: Winterville
EDUCATION: bachelor of science in physical education, East Carolina University
YEARSTEACHING: 10
WHAT INSPIRED ME TO BECOME A TEACHER: My parents inspired me to become a teacher. My dad is a retired physical education teacher and my mom is a retired special education teacher.
Tonya L. Speight
AGE: 50
SCHOOL: E.B. Aycock Middle School
I TEACH: eighth-grade math
HOMETOWN: Brooklyn, New York
EDUCATION: bachelor of science in accounting, Shaw University; teacher certification, East Carolina University
YEARS TEACHING: 18
STUDENTS REMEMBER ME AS: I am remembered as the teacher that cares and one who has a listening ear. I am known as “Momma Speight.”
Abby Garner
AGE: 30
SCHOOL: Farmville Middle School
I TEACH: seventh-grade math
HOMETOWN: Wilmington
EDUCATION: bachelor of arts in secondary mathematics education from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington
YEARS TEACHING: five
MY CLASSROOM MOTTO IS: inspired by a quote by Albert Einstein, “if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its entire life believing that it is stupid.”
Angena LeBarre
AGE: 28
SCHOOL: Wellcome Middle School (now at ECU Community School)
HOMETOWN: Lexington
EDUCATION: bachelor’s degree in special education, master’s in reading education with an autism certificate, Appalachian State University
YEARS TEACHING: four
IF I COULD NOT BE A TEACHER: I would probably rescue animals after natural disasters (fires, floods, etc.) and work for a nonprofit organization.
