Shiela P. Cole - Second Grade
Chahta-Ima Elementary
985-882-7541
My name is Shiela Cole and I am a second grade teacher. My husband Scott and
I have three beautiful children, Courtney - age 14, Cameron - age 12, and
Caitlin - age 9.
During the 2005 - 2006 school year I was voted the Teacher of the Year. I
have been teaching at Chahta-ima for 12 years. My first year at
Chahta-Ima, I taught in the Title 1 Reading Lab teaching students in grades
K-3. For the next 7 years, I taught second grade. Four years ago, I was
given the opportunity to teach first grade. Two years ago, I began to teach
second grade again.
I received my undergraduate degree from the Southeastern Louisiana
University in 1996. I continued my education at Northwestern State
University and have received my master's degree in education with an
emphasis in technology. During the current school year, I will continue to
attend NSU and work towards receiving a Specialist degree in technology
certification along with my administration certification. Last year,
I worked to receive the National Board Certification. This
certification helped me study and research my teaching strategies and
coordinate them according to the National Educational Standards.
As a young child playing games, I often found myself teaching imaginary
students how to read, write, and add. I named these students and began to
plan imaginary activities and lessons to help my students to succeed. As the
neighborhood grew, the younger children began to attend my make-believe
school and I enjoyed teaching them how to write the letters of the alphabet
and how to add numbers. Not long after, I realized that I enjoyed very much
working with children and wanted to become a teacher.
As a student who needed that extra bit of assistance, that little pat on the
back and show of support, I was indeed fortunate to have teachers willing to
go the extra miles that it took to help me succeed. My success was their
priority. They believed that I could overcome any learning obstacles. As a
result, these teachers still have an impact on me today. Therefore, I feel
compelled to carry on the legacy of these wonderful women, to help others as
they helped me. My teachers' beliefs, ethics, and values were evident in
their daily lessons and in the way they treated their students. I firmly
believe that their life lessons and nurturing ways provided me with the self-
esteem and positive educational experiences that I needed to succeed in
school. I myself am a product of some whom I consider to be the best
teachers in the world that have helped me accomplish my dreams.
All these experiences in school and the relationship with my teachers
greatly influenced my belief in how important it is to have a good
education, and, how it is to have a teacher who goes that extra mile. I
believe that all students can learn and over come all obstacles to become
sucessful. I often remember the feelings of achievement and excitement as I
understood and learned the skills needed to be successful. These feelings
brought to light my desire to work with children and help them to learn and
become successful. As a teacher, I work hard to inspire as my teachers
inspired, and to nurture as my teachers nurtured.