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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Valley Times-News is doing a Q&A with all of the teachers of the year in the Chambers County School System. Today, we are writing about Amanda Norris, a Special Education teacher at Eastside J.P. Powell Magnet School. We asked her 20 questions, and we included some of our favorite responses below.

 

Amanda Norris was named this year’s recipient of Teacher of the Year for Eastside J.P. Powell Magnet School. Norris is a Special Education teacher for third through fifth grade. She has been with the school for six of her ten years in education. 

 

Norris has a big family. She has been with her husband, Jason, for 17 years. She has four adult children, all of whom are products of Roanoke City Schools. Two of her sons, Noah and Caleb are diesel mechanics. Caleb is also in the military. Her other son Zach is getting into welding and her daughter Ocean is a lifeguard. 

 

The special education teacher leads the sunshine committee at Eastside, as well as the positive behavior support as an integral part of the school’s morale. She also assists with the elementary school’s morning news. 

 

What inspired you to become an educator? (Or who?)

“I decided to become an educator at a later time in my life. I was 24 when I decided to go to college. While helping my children at home and being involved in their education, I began to realize that I wanted to be a part of the education world and help children become successful.”

 

What are your career aspirations? 

“I would like to become national board certified and return to college to get an administrative degree. My hope is to become an assistant principal in the next 5 to 10 years.”

 

If you weren’t a teacher, what career field would you be in? 

“Growing up, I always wanted to be an ocean photographer, but I did not think college was in the works for me.”

 

If your teaching style had a theme song, what would it be? 

“Thunderstruck.”

 

What’s the most creative/unique project one of your classes has worked on?

“Building a working lung.”

 

If you could invite any historical figure to speak to your class, who would you choose and why? 

“Anne Frank, I feel as though the students would take in the information from someone near their age.”

 

What’s the most rewarding part about your job? 

“When I see growth in my students’ progress. For my students it’s not about making an A, it’s about growing and making progress and I love to see them feel good about themselves when they see they are improving.”

 

What’s the most challenging part of your job? 

“Finding ways to help my students learn or manage behavior. There is not a lot of training on helping students with different disabilities. I am constantly researching to help improve myself.”

 

What’s the most unusual excuse a student has given you for not completing their homework? 

“They had football practice until 9:00 at night and had to go to bed when he got home. He was a fifth grader.”

 

What did it mean to you to be named your school’s teacher of the year? 

“Honestly, I didn’t think much about it. I was honored that someone nominated me, but I come to work for the students, not the recognition.”

 

On a weekend or a summer day when school is out, what are your favorite activities? 

“During the summer we stay on the lake camping with family. Weekends I like to spend time with my granddaughter.”

 

As your students transition to the next grade or graduate in May, what is one key takeaway you hope they carry forward from their time in your class? 

“I hope they know that I cared and loved them and will always be here if they need any help with anything.”