2001 Illinois Teacher of the Year
Ms. Crow teaches grades seven and eight students science at Metamora Grade School in Metamora, Illinois. She has been teaching for twenty years.

What are your beliefs about teaching?
"I believe that each child is able to improve academically. Do not give up on any of them – you may be the stepping stone that will allow someone else to help them out later on."

How are your beliefs incorporated in your teaching style?
"I am there early and late, giving individual assistance in help and study sessions. I try to incorporate every teaching strategy I can to reach each student's individual needs."

What is your greatest teaching accomplishment?
"My greatest accomplishment is when I see my students finally achieve an understanding of scientific concepts. Another accomplishment for me is when former students tell me that they are grateful that I taught them until they understood."

What's the most critical issue facing educators today and what do you think can be done to resolve this issue?
"The most critical issue facing education today is obtaining and retaining quality teachers. There should be more contact between novice and pre-service teachers with experienced field teachers. There should also be mentoring of the new teachers – everyone needs a boost on occasion."

Inspirational thought:
"Teach well because we learn from the past. We teach in the present to secure the future of our world."