Class Act Teacher of the Month: Vancleave Upper Elementary’s Nancy Chandler
WXXV’s Grant Chighizola is heading back to the classroom, highlighting a teacher who’s been shaping minds in Jackson County for years now at Vancleave Upper Elementary.
When Grant stopped by Mrs. Nancy Chandler’s classroom early one morning, her students were already hard at work doing interactive and engaging lessons.
Mrs. Chandler says that type of learning has been a staple in her classrooms over the course of her 27-year career. “I do believe that they learn best when students are shown examples and they get to try and have hands on experiences.”
As a 4th grade math and science teacher, helping students transition to the upper elementary environment is another top priority each and every year. “The first time they change classes, they have an ELA teacher that they switch to in the afternoon, so it’s a lot of adjustments for them. It’s the first year of like having a binder, and being responsible.”
Mrs. Chandler says it is especially sweet seeing former students find success in life. “Just to see that they’ve gone on to become successful adults and thrive no matter if they go to college, or junior college, or a technical career, it’s just good to see them, but I can’t even count how many of my students have become teachers themselves.”
In the here and now, Mrs. Chandler is excited to see where life takes her current crop of fourth graders as well. “I hope that they find what they love to do, and chase it with all their hearts, like I said whether that means they got to college or get a technical career or whatever, that they just find joy in what they’re doing. Because that is true, when you enjoy your job, it doesn’t become a drudge anymore.”
