“I teach third grade and have experience across multiple grade levels, but third grade is truly my sweet spot,” shared Kati Green, a third-grade teacher at Indian Springs Elementary. “At this age, students still have a genuine love for their teacher and excitement for learning, yet they are also beginning to develop independence.”
Mrs. Green obtained her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Alabama. She has been teaching for 19 years and is passionate about making learning meaningful and relevant to real-life situations.
“My students are especially motivated when learning feels fun and interactive, so I use those approaches to increase participation and excitement,” she shared. “For example, during a unit on animals, my students researched different species and turned their writing into a self-published class book. We then extended that learning by visiting the zoo, where students were able to see and connect with what they had studied. Experiences like that help students see the purpose behind their learning and make it more memorable.”
Mrs. Green is passionate about maintaining open communication with her students and their families. Providing consistent communication with parents through newsletters, along with building strong relationships with her students, allows her to create a safe, supportive environment where her students feel confident asking questions, making mistakes, and coming to her for help.
One of the most challenging aspects of teaching for Mrs. Green is addressing the diverse learning needs of each student who enters her classroom. She navigates this by creating differentiated instruction to meet students where they are. Her goal is to continually identify where her students need support and adjust her instruction accordingly.
“I hope my students remember how much I genuinely cared about them. More than anything, I want them to remember that I believed in them—even when they may not have believed in themselves,” shared Mrs. Green. “I want my classroom to be remembered as a place where they felt supported, valued, and capable of success.”
Kati Green has been happily married to her husband, Mason, for 19 years. Together, they have two children—Emily (15) and Grayson (11). She is very proud of the life they have built together. Emily competes in horse shows, and Grayson plays soccer, so weekends are often spent supporting their extracurricular activities. When she isn’t teaching, Kati enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, relaxing at the beach, and caring for her animals.
