Claudia Knapp, Bright Beginnings is March Teacher of the Month

How long have you been teaching and teaching at Clara Byrd Baker Elementary?

I have been teaching for 29 years, this being my 5^th year at Clara Byrd Baker Elementary School.  I taught 4^th grade in Dickenson County, Virginia, and Head Start in Charles City County, Virginia before I began teaching Early Childhood Special Education with Bright Beginnings 15 years ago.

What drew you to teaching and to being a Bright Beginnings teacher?

I always knew that I wanted to teach at a preschool level only later realizing that preschool special education was my true love.  This population of children makes me laugh and laugh a lot. My work days are filled with watching my very young students, all still two-years-old or newly turned threes, as they accomplish a new skill or make some new discovery. It is difficult to express into words a preschool child’s expression of wonder at being able to accomplish a new skill they had never been able do before.  There is tremendous joy in helping special needs preschoolers and their families.

What perspective have you gained from being around preschoolers every day?

Preschool children are so innocent, loving, and unspoiled.  They don’t hold any prejudices, and each sees the world as bright and beautiful.   Each child that I have ever taught gives love and laughter freely on a daily basis.  My preschool students have a natural love of learning, making each moment in the school day a teachable moment.  This type of optimism, energy and enthusiasm for learning is contagious, making my job the best job imaginable.

What do you want your students to be able to do when they leave your classroom – that you know will prepare them for further education and life in general?

I would like for my students to take with them a love of learning.

If you could ask parents to do one thing to help their children’s academic success what would it be?

To be present and involved in their child’s school and education.

Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you that you find you post, read, share or just meditate on?

My favorite quote that inspires me would be the Desiderata.  I carry a copy of it in my planner and have a copy posted next to my desk in my classroom.  It carries a timeless message in which to live.

Are you from Williamsburg? If not, where are you from, what brought you here?

I am one of seven children born to Ralph and Carolyn Cummins in Clintwood, Virginia in the Southwestern part of the state.  My father was a high school teacher, athletic director and highly acclaimed football coach.   Some of my father’s accomplishments included being inducted into the State Sports Hall of Fame, National Coaches Hall of Fame and being awarded the National Coach of the Year.  My mother was a Home Health Care Nurse and educator.   My family holds the Guinness World Record for coincidental births, having five single children born on the same day in different years.

I met my husband of 34 years, Allen, when I was still living in Clintwood and we moved together to Williamsburg in 1985 when he took a job with the Williamsburg-James City County Health Department.  Both of our children, Ashley and Robert, were raised and educated in Williamsburg.

Do you have any life lessons that the students in your class have taught you – maybe a short story about kindness, sharing or just one of your student’s observations?

My students and their families teach me something new on a daily basis.  Each child in my class has his or her own unique needs and life difficulties but each never loses that childlike happiness and love that is given so freely to others.