- Phenix City Schools
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Teacher Tuesday: Mrs. Charlene Rose
January 10, 2023
Tuesdays are dedicated to learning more about one of our outstanding teachers in our school system. This week, we had the pleasure of speaking with Mrs. Charlene Rose.
Mrs. Rose is from Lineville, AL, which is a small community in northern Alabama. She is incredibly close with her family there and she misses them due to the distance. If her name sounds familiar, it may be because she is married to South Girard’s principal, Mr. Allen Rose. They have one daughter and love to spend time together. One of their favorite activities is karaoke.
Mrs. Rose is a two-time graduate of Jacksonville State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in 2010 and earned her master’s degree in 2021.
Upon earning her undergraduate degree, she began teaching at Lakewood Primary School. Mrs. Rose said, “I was hired by Mrs.Nicey Eller at Lakewood Elementary School to teach kindergarten. It was a match made in heaven! As a first-year teacher, I was scared, overwhelmed, and excited to begin my teaching journey. With the help of great mentors, like Mrs. McDonald and Mrs. Culpepper, and coworkers, I built the confidence needed to succeed that first year. Dr. Jana Sparks enhanced my pedagogy as an educator and further instilled in me the belief that I could accomplish any goal that I set for myself at Lakewood Primary School. Because of my experiences as a young educator, I was able to devote my time, love, and passion of learning with each student each year.”
Her determination and passion have earned her several awards during her career. In 2012, she was named LPS Teacher Of The Year, in 2014 she was the Golden Apple Award Recipient, and in 2016, she received the Make A Difference Award.
Her inspiration to make a difference stems from her time as a student. She said, “My second and third-grade teachers really inspired me to become a teacher in two completely different ways. My second-grade teacher was very discouraging, whereas my third-grade teacher was encouraging and loving. These experiences led me to want to become an educator so that I could ensure that none of my students felt the shame and disappointment that I felt as a child.”
She works daily to treat students the way her third-grade teacher, Mrs. Brown treated her. “I want to be the teacher that encourages and speaks life into each child in my classroom. I want to be the teacher that students remember for the positive affirmations that they receive. I pray and work daily to accomplish that goal!” she said.
Her ultimate goal for students is to encourage the desire to be lifelong learners. Mrs. Rose said, “I strive to teach students to enjoy learning. I teach them that you are never too old to learn new things. I show my students that I sometimes make mistakes and that I can learn from them, even if they are five or six years old!”
One challenge for kindergarten teachers begins at the beginning of the year. Mrs. Rose explained that kindergarten may be the first time students have ever been to school, which makes it hard to assess what her new students have already learned. She said, “There are no writing samples or last year's report card to compare. Every year, I receive a room full of strangers that quickly become family that I learn to love. I overcome this challenge year after year by taking the time to get to know my students and their families. We also form a meaningful classroom community.”
While the first day of school can be nerve-wracking for her students, it can also be scary to parents! “We always make a puzzle for our parents on the first day of school. Sometimes, parents are nervous and anxious, so making them a little keepsake is a small way to say ‘I love you and we had a great first day in kindergarten,’” said Mrs. Rose.
After the first day of school, Mrs. Rose’s classroom still remains joyful and lively. She loves to teach through songs and dances. She said, “You will see loads of singing and dancing, a lot of laughing, and structured learning. My favorite part of the day has to be seeing my students smile and enjoying their day in class. I love sharing my love for school with my students so naturally, I try to make our day as exciting as possible.”
Her favorite thing about her students is learning about their strengths, interests, and personalities. Mrs. Rose loves each child’s uniqueness and works hard to foster their love of learning.
While she works hard to teach her class new things, her students often teach her things as well. She said the best advice she has received from her students is to, “Live your best life everyday and life is boring when you do not have a song playing in your head!”
During her free time, Mrs. Rose is often spending time with her family and friends. She loves to cook, craft, garden, and watch some of her favorite TV shows.
Fun Fact About Mrs. Rose:
Worst subject in school: “I was horrible in math! I had to pay close attention in class and study daily to make good grades in math.”