Audrey Ferguson
2003 Missouri Teacher of the Year
Ms. Ferguson has been teaching Title 1 Math to grades one to five for thirty-two years at the Laclede Elementary School in St Louis, Missouri.

What are your beliefs about teaching?
“I believe it is the right of every American student to be effectively educated in a safe, child-centered environment. I believe that every child can achieve academic success, and educators should never put limits on what students can achieve. We must be life-long learners ourselves and must always seek new ways to reach our students in an ever-changing world. We must hold high expectations for all students. I believe that education extends beyond the walls of the school and that teachers need to take the lead in building the collaborative bridges that connect school, home and community. I believe it is the job of the school to help students reach full potential so that they become literate, productive adults.”

How are your beliefs incorporated in your teaching style?
“I have high expectations for all my students. I structure lessons so all students feel some success. I give students choices and help them develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. I also help them build positive teaming skills which are so important in the workplace today.”

What is your greatest teaching accomplishment?
“My greatest accomplishment has been the success stories from my thirty-two years of teaching. Working with at-risk children for over twenty-seven years, I find it rewarding to see the number of children I have helped become successful. I have former remedial math students who are now teachers and many others have graduated from college. It gives me great pleasure knowing that I have made a difference in the lives of so many students.”

What's the most critical issue facing educators?
“The increasing demand being placed on teachers today is causing burnout and excess stress on teachers.”

What do you think can be done to resolve this issue?
“Providing more aides, smaller class sizes and more planning time.”

One thought to inspire teachers to excel
“Networking with other teachers is always energizing for me. Teachers should seek mentors and form support groups. Teachers will be inspired and stay motivated if they observe teachers in other schools and districts. Attending workshops and conferences and sharing ideas and strategies are always stimulating.”

One lesson every student should learn
“Making a good choice leads to success; making poor choices leads to unpleasant consequences.”

Favorite Website:
“www.funbrain.com.”