“I am feeling incredibly grateful and honored to be selected as Teacher of the Month,” shared Racheal Battles. “Teaching is not just a job, it’s my passion. I’m thankful every day for the opportunity to inspire and learn alongside my students.”
Ms. Battles is in her eighth year of teaching and currently serves as the Earth Science, Life Science, and STEM Elective Teacher at Mobile County Training School. She spends her days with middle schoolers from 6th to 8th grade.
“Teaching was actually not my first career choice,” she shared. “However, after being in the classroom during my first year, and seeing my students become excited about science and STEM, that inspired me to continue teaching.”
When walking into Ms. Battles’s classroom, you will often find her students working in small groups or engaged in peer tutoring. These activities allow them to discuss the content and expand on their ideas. They also execute their own labs and rotations, as these responsibilities hold them accountable for their own learning.
“If I had to describe my teaching style, I would say it’s unconventional, engaging, and built on student/teacher relationships,” she explained. “I believe when you fully understand your students, their learning styles, and abilities, it makes teaching fun, encouraging, and memorable.”
One of Ms. Battles’s most memorable teaching moments was a diffusion and osmosis lab where students used eggs as models for cells, weighing them before and after soaking in different solutions.
“Watching them observe the real-time changes, collaborate in groups, and connect the experiment to the concepts they were learning brought science to life in an exciting way,” she said. “The joy on their faces and even a student expressing interest in pursuing a science career reminded me of the power of hands-on, engaging learning.”
Being part of her students’ growth, not just academically but beyond that, is what Ms. Battles is most proud of. She hopes all of her students become the best versions of themselves and always strive for good character. Beyond subject matter, she wants her students to learn that it’s okay to evolve and that they alone determine their future.
Racheal Battles graduated with a Bachelor’s in Forensic Chemistry and Biochemistry from The University of Southern Mississippi. She is a loving mother to her six-year-old son, Kadence, and her puppy, Baleigh. She enjoys traveling, dancing, and spending quality time with loved ones. With her passion for science and dedication to her students, Racheal continues to inspire a lifelong love of learning and discovery. She hopes to further her education with a Master’s in School Counseling and a Doctorate in Education.
