Deborah Norris

DEBORAH NORRIS 
North Grove Elementary School
SPECIAL EDUCATION
18.5 Years of Teaching; 7 Years at Center Grove 

To me, teaching is important because...
Teaching is preparing the future. No other title, job, or industry is as important as getting children prepared to enter the world and hopefully handle themselves adequately. Teachers are an integral part of this process. Every year, students need to be challenged and pushed because once they are out competing in their industry, they need to stand out and be prepared to handle the challenges, and it is the teachers who are at the forefront of hopefully instilling leadership qualities in them and help with building that stamina and grit. They are on the front lines with many of these students when other resources or support may have failed them. Teaching with high expectations and being approachable to meet/help with their emotional needs is what teaching is. I pride myself on both of those qualities. I especially find satisfaction in helping parents who feel they do not know what to do or how to handle something- especially in my area where parents have children with disabilities. We are a big part of the puzzle with students’ futures, and it truly does take a village.