Elsa Wilson is a teacher at Morgan Township Elementary. Wilson has worked there for five years and has taught kindergarten, first, and second grade during that time. While this is only Wilson’s fifth year of teaching at the elementary school, it is her tenth year of teaching overall. Wilson was inspired to go into teaching by her mother.
“I watched my mom teach kindergarten for 25 years, and I saw her passion for it. Her face would light up seeing students, sometimes 20 years after they were in her classroom. I witnessed the joy it brought her to see "her kids," even when they were adults.” said Wilson.
“I didn’t fully understand this reaction until I became a teacher myself. I witnessed my mom making a difference in the lives of so many children, and I wanted a job that brought me that kind of fulfillment.” she continued.
Wilson seems to have found this fulfillment in her job, as she expressed the love that she has for her students, and the love that they have for her in return. Wilson said that she tells her students that they are like a “school family,” a connection she has worked to build with them.
“One of the main reasons I love teaching is the connection I have with my students. Seeing them succeed in reading and math is nice, but I feel most successful when I can tell they feel loved. I get the honor of spending a majority of these children's days with them, and I truly feel like they are my own,” said Wilson.
Wilson feels that her students give her just as much as she gives them. The hugs, pictures, and notes (usually with an ‘I love you Mrs. Wilson’ included), give her the energy to keep going while reassuring her that she is exactly where she needs to be.
While there are many rewarding moments as a teacher, it has been very challenging lately due to COVID-19. As schools switch from in-person learning to virtual learning and back, it is difficult for teachers to keep up with their students and the changes.
“My second favorite thing about teaching is the people I work with,” Wilson said. “I am amazed at the sacrifice and commitment my coworkers make because of their passion for what they do. I have seen these teachers do both virtual and in-person teaching for months. I have witnessed exhaustion and late hours, and yet the kindness and love they show these children is unmatched. I have never been more proud to say I work with these amazing and dedicated people than I have this year.”