“Challenge me! Inspire me! Listen to me!” This is the message in their eyes. Eliza sees herself in so many of the students she serves, because she herself was not easily inspired as a young learner. Now, as an inspired educator, she hopes to motivate students to find joy in learning and to take pride in being part of a community of learners. As the daughter of a policeman and an educator, public service was a way of life for Eliza Gemmill. In addition to both parents working full time, her family farmed over 350 acres. Eliza grew up driving tractors, hauling wood, and raising chickens. Yes Ma'am, No Sir, Please, and Thank you were expected. Eliza learned the value of hard work and the benefit of being part of a small, supportive community. These values drive her daily practice as an educator.
After one year at Virginia Commonwealth University, she left aimless and looking to find purpose. Luckily, she was hired as a fulltime First Grade Instructional Aide for her hometown elementary school. Little did she know that her Assistant Principal, Mark Allan, would become her mentor and lead her to Hanover County. Watching five different teachers and assisting them daily allowed her to learn about quality classroom management and teaching strategies. Each day she walked away feeling the satisfaction that comes with a day full of purpose. Returning to VCU with a relentless determination to get into the classroom, Eliza finished with her Masters in Teaching in three years. Marriage led her to Ithaca, NY and Cornell University’s Family Life Development Center. She quickly rose to an associate position and was given the opportunity to train preschool teachers in military bases across the country in violence prevention strategies. When she moved back to Virginia, Westmoreland County Schools and Stafford County Schools were stepping stones on her way to Hanover County. The opening of Pole Green Elementary offered an opportunity to work for Mr. Allan again and then she followed him to the State Department of Education, working for the Reading First Grant for a period of time before returning as a Gifted Resource Teacher at South Anna Elementary. Eliza’s journey in education has provided her with the opportunity to learn from the exceptional professionals she met along the way. Each relationship she built made her stronger and more capable to tackle challenges. Developing collaborative relationships is one of her greatest accomplishments. The relationships that Eliza has built led to significant contributions to her school community. Teaming with the Physical Education teacher in 2007, Eliza began the South Anna Spirit Stride, a 5K and one mile Fun Run. This community event highlighted fitness and family. For eight years, Eliza has directed school musicals including School House Rock Jr., Annie Jr., Little Mermaid Jr., Alice in Wonderland, Seussical Jr., The Wizard of Oz, and Magic Tree House. Collaboration with the music teacher and a classroom teacher/choreographer turned these musicals into incredible productions. Eliza also tackled the National Board Certified Teacher process and with the help of her collaborative partners, achieved certification in December 2017. Over the past year Eliza has written and received grants to help facilitate the use of innovative practices in her school: The Classroom of the Future Grant, a Hanover Creative Instructional Grant, and a Dominion Resources Pedal Power Grant. These grants have allowed her to purchase resources, technologies, and supplies in order to promote innovation. Reaching out to the community to garner support for our studio has been key to its success. She worked tirelessly all summer to make our collective vision a reality; painting, ordering, researching, sewing, organizing, building, and planting. In connection with the HEF Classroom of the Future Grant, she had the privilege of sharing how we are using innovative practices with HEF Board members, the Hanover County Council of PTAs, and Randolph Macon students. In collaboration with a colleague, Eliza developed an Innovator’s Bootcamp and offered it to a small group during the summer, and then to the entire staff this fall. As part of this camp, they developed a common language about our innovative instruction and created a continuum that has now been shared with our county wide Innovation Team members. Eliza provided professional development in Hanover over the summer of 2017 and presented App Smashing at the state 2017 VSTE conference. Eliza serves as the STREAM Committee Chair and ran her school’s first STREAM Night with success. Over 250 people were in attendance with over 50 teachers and volunteers running stations. This winter she served as the mentor for a high school student working on a Community Service Project related to STEM. Eliza helped her develop and run a free after school camp for 32 students called Blast Off. Upcoming initiatives support her dedication to connections with businesses and schools, and better preparing students for the workplace of the future. They include her travels in conjunction with the REB award for a proposal called Innovation Nation and creation of the Innovation Institute. Comments are closed.
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Author“Challenge me! Inspire me! Listen to me!” This is the message in their eyes. I see myself in so many of the students I serve, because I was not easily inspired as a young learner. Now, as an inspired educator, I hope to motivate students to find joy in learning and to take pride in being part of a community of learners. Archives
March 2018
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