There is a well-known quote by successful businesswoman Mary Kay Ash that states, “Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around their neck that says, ‘Make me feel important.’ If you embrace this mindset, not only will you succeed in sales, but you will also succeed in life.”
Cassidy Walter, a teacher at Theodore High School, has embraced the truth of this quote and applies it in her daily interactions with her eleventh graders. Perhaps this is the very reason she was nominated as our Teacher of the Month.
“I stand at my door every day and greet each of my students. I make sure to acknowledge everyone who enters my classroom,” Mrs. Walter shared. “I feel extremely privileged and honored to be nominated for this award because I love my job and feel like I’m good at it.”
Mrs. Walter graduated from the University of South Alabama in May of 2021 with a degree in Secondary Education with English Language Arts as her subject area. She plans to further her education in Instructional Leadership.
“I teach English 11. I’m certified to teach grades 7th-12th, but I prefer teaching high school aged kids because they are a little more relatable than younger children,” she explained. “They are starting to understand life more, so there isn’t as much sugarcoating with them. I can be myself around them and vice versa.”
Mrs. Walter describes her teaching style as “go with the flow.” She enjoys getting to know her students before diving into the material outlined in the pacing guide. By understanding each student better, she can tailor her teaching to meet their individual needs.
“Real-world engagement and conversations are my teaching strategy. Nearly every single lesson I teach, I try my best to tie it to things that the kids are able to relate to,” said Mrs. Walter. “I let students inside my world. Also, I’m an open book and I feel like by allowing them to see the real me, they are more inclined to listen to the things I have to say and offer.”
When her students leave her classroom and transition into their senior year, Mrs. Walter hopes they carry their critical thinking skills with them.
“I want them to be able to make the right decisions no matter what and to be a kind and loving person,” she said. “Ultimately, I want them to know that they are loved by not only me but Jesus as well.”
Cassidy Walter is married to Jamie, and they have a 2-year-old son named Jet. Along with teaching English 11, she is the year-round Cheer Coach for Theodore High School. Cassidy’s little family enjoys traveling and spending quality time together.
