A first-grade teacher at Cranberry Prosperity Elementary School in Beckley, West Virginia, has been recognized as the February Teacher Feature winner. Kristie Elswick has earned this accolade for her innovative approach that emphasizes effort and personal growth among her students.
Elswick’s teaching philosophy revolves around a single, powerful lesson: the word “try.” She integrates this concept into all aspects of her curriculum. “For first grade, you know, we make a lot of mistakes, and that’s one of the first things that I teach them is that mistakes are for learning,” Elswick explained. Her focus on creating a safe environment for mistakes encourages her students to embrace challenges.
“It’s okay. You won’t make progress if you aren’t trying,” Elswick continued. “If you aren’t making mistakes, you won’t improve. They help us.” This mindset fosters resilience and a growth-oriented attitude in her classroom.
Recognizing the unique strengths and challenges of each student is fundamental to Elswick’s teaching strategy. “I am very observant when it comes to any problems or challenges they have,” she stated. “I want to pick it up as early as I can so that we can work on those difficulties together.”
The impact of Elswick’s teaching extends beyond academic lessons. Alicea Beasley, who nominated her for the award, shared a meaningful interaction with her daughter. “My daughter said, ‘Mommy, all we have to do is learn. All we have to do is try. And that’s all she requires of us,’” Beasley recounted. This sentiment encapsulates the nurturing environment Elswick has established.
Beasley praised Elswick as “a wonderful dedicated teacher who is truly planting and building a solid foundation in the lives of first graders at Cranberry Prosperity Elementary School.” She expressed gratitude for the positive influence Elswick has on her students. “They’re going to be great people because she’s loving and caring, and you can’t ask for more than that,” Beasley added.
Community members are encouraged to participate in recognizing exceptional educators by submitting nominations for future Teacher Feature awards. Interested individuals can submit their nominations through the website wvva.com. Winning teachers receive a monetary award of $200 from Cole Chevy as part of this initiative.
Kristie Elswick’s recognition highlights the importance of fostering a supportive learning environment in early education. Her dedication to her students serves as an inspiring example for educators everywhere.
