Smith County Insider’s “Educator Spotlight” series is our way of celebrating the incredible educators in Smith County who go above and beyond for their students, both inside and outside of the classroom!
Smith County Educator Anna Tongate – 2nd Grade, Union Heights Elementary
Today’s “Educator Spotlight” features Anna Tongate, 2nd grade teacher at Union Heights Elementary School.
Anna is from Carthage, Tennessee, and this is her 3rd year of teaching.
Smith County Insider interviewed Anna about her experiences as an educator, and this is what she had to say.
SCI: When did you realize that you wanted to be a teacher?
AT: My senior year of high school. I wanted to have summers off to be able to go on mission trips. Little did I know, God not only wanted me to do those in the summers but to actually love teaching. The classroom can be like a mission field in itself!
SCI: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
AT: It would hands down have to be the kids I get to work with and call my own each year. Those kids will always be “my kids.”
SCI: What inspires you?
AT: The students and teachers I work with at UHS. I have learned so much from my coworkers. They constantly are encouraging you and helping you become the best teacher. The students of course challenge you each day. We all know that overcoming challenges makes us better people!
SCI: What’s the best piece of advice you have for your students?
AT: Never give up. Work hard every single day. We discuss this quote in my class when things get hard: “It’s okay not to know, but it’s not okay not to try.”
SCI: What do you like to do in your free time?
AT: Gardening in the summer is my favorite! I love to go to barre as much as I can. I also coach volleyball at SCMS, so that keeps me busy.
SCI: Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of Smith County Insider?
AT:Thank you for spotlighting teachers. That really means so much! We are just normal people that get up each day and do our very best to help our students.
Thank you for your dedication to your students, Anna!
Don’t miss Smith County Insider’s next “Educator Spotlight”!
[wdca_ad id=”11484″ ]
[wdca_ad id=”11404″ ]
