Page 14 - August 2019

Amy Squires: A Lifelong Love Of Learning

story by K.J. NALLY photo by PAUL NURNBERG
A lmost every person waking in our beloved town has spent Advice you would give a new teacher.
a decade or more of his or her life in a classroom, learning.
Amy: Even though I was believed I was born to teach, my
balloon about teaching popped fast that first year. I got my heart
Each one of us has been impacted, positively or negatively,
from our school experiences. Whether we understand or
not, the degree to which the lessons, classroom to cafeteria or peers broken by a little six-year-old boy who had gotten on his bus to go
home mad at me. I completely mixed up the minute hand and hour
to playground, have helped shape who we are as individuals. hand while being observed as I taught a lesson on telling time. I
Teachers often spend their lives without proper recognition for had dirt thrown on my back by a little girl every single day as we
the hours (and after-hours) of care they give to planning lessons, walked in from recess. I found out that same little girl was locked in
corresponding with parents, further education training, and enriching a closet overnight every time I called her mom to talk to her about
children's lives for their future in and out of the classroom. What a her behavior. I had a transfer student who called everyone in the
joy to feature Mossy Oaks Elementary Teacher of the Year, Amy classroom, including me, horrible names with cursing. A student in
Squires, honoring her 25 years of teaching, as she has impacted another class fell and broke his arm in two places when I was on
hundreds of Beaufort's own with a lifelong love of learning. recess duty. The list goes on…I had a lot to learn. I'm not sure
Where did you grow up and attend school? when the novice teacher became the veteran…I still
Amy: Here in Beaufort! Even as a three-year- have a lot to learn and feel like your "run-of-the-
old I couldn't wait to attend school. My mom mill" kindergarten teacher, but my 25 years of
said I stood outside watching the school bus teaching would encourage the new teacher.
come and go every day! So, she signed Remember you are there because you
me up for preschool at our church, Baptist want to help children learn, not because it
Church of Beaufort. I still remember is simply a job.
my teacher, Mrs. Sue Burns and her Children's physical needs must
awesome high heels! I then attended be met before any positive learning
Shell Point Elementary School from experience will happen.
K-3rd, Broad River Elementary School Having fun while teaching makes
4-6, Beaufort Jr. High School 7, Robert everyone's day better.
Smalls Jr. High 8-9, and Battery Creek Teach classroom rules/routines hard
High School 10-12. I even got my and heavy at the beginning of the year,
bachelor's degree for Early Childhood and the rest of the year will be much
Elementary at USC-Beaufort. smoother.
Later, I earned my Masters of Incorporate as much play, movement,
Education from the University of South and multi-sensory activities as possible while
Carolina, and eventually my National Board teaching standards.
Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist. Stay organized and don't wait until the last
Why did you become a teacher? minute to plan.
Amy: Some teachers are what I call a natural, Work with your team instead of doing everything
they were born to teach. I was born to teach. My mother and yourself.
grandmother were teachers and I thankfully followed their example. Give your family as much time as you do to your classroom.
Honestly, I don't have one experience or person that helped me to Balance consistency and flexibility…it's okay to stop your lesson
make my career decision. I truly just never imagined NOT being a to read a book to reset the tone of the day.
teacher. As a little girl, my family said I only talked about four things: What is your greatest lesson you've learned teaching?
family, gymnastics, reading, and Jesus. I was a simple girl. I didn't Amy: Most of all, I have learned from the children I have taught
get into much trouble. I cartwheeled and read my way through my how to love unconditionally. Through these children, I have learned
young life. I was not particularly skilled at a certain subject, but I about my own beliefs as an early childhood educator. I believe
was a teacher no matter what I was doing…or maybe, as my sister all children will learn at their own rate in their own time. I believe
would say, I was just bossy! that young children thrive on schedules and routines. I believe that
What do you love about teaching? children can have fun while they learn. I believe that standards
Amy: Focusing and concentrating on the needs of children in "stick" more when taught through drama, dance, art and music. I
the early childhood setting. I watch their wonder, curiosity and believe that giving a child a positive interaction as soon as they walk
enthusiasm for learning. I am responsible for teaching them about through the door can change their outlook and behavior for the rest
their basic cognitive readiness skills through movement, visual and of the day. I believe that a classroom and school community can be
performing art and music. We dance and sing and act out silly stronger if there is a team of students, teachers, and parents working
stories together. together. I believe that creating a cheerful and energetic learning
My assistant, Mrs. Theresa McMullen, and I have a contagious environment help children thrive and want to be at school.
love for learning and keep up the energy. We both enjoy teaching The community of teachers, administrators, parents, and students
our students cheerfulness, patience, compassion, love and sharing. were not surprised Amy received this award, for she has impacted
Each day is truly a new adventure with many chapters of learning. many with her lifelong love of learning.
14 August 2019 | www.BeaufortLifestyle.com