Amber Pace treats her students like family at Springfield Elementary
Amber Pace has spent nearly a decade teaching at Springfield Elementary School.
Amber Pace has spent nearly a decade teaching at Springfield Elementary School.
Amber Pace has spent nearly a decade teaching at Springfield Elementary School.
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Amber Pace has spent over a decade teaching at Springfield Elementary.
"When I moved from first grade to kindergarten, I was not really happy about the change. Then I changed my mindset. Some kids go to pre-K, some kids don’t. I get to be their impression of what real school is," Pace said.
Introducing students to the world of learning is something Pace doesn’t take lightly.
"It is a lot of pressure because if we don’t set the foundation, then they don’t have anything to build on. I'm so lucky to work here with a great team and great admin that support us," she said.
Pace was a self-proclaimed teacher's pet in school and says she always knew she wanted to teach. She said there’s nothing better than teaching students how to read.
"When they come to me, most of them can’t read. When they leave, they can. It’s not because of anything I did. It’s the process. To watch them read, sometimes I get a little teary," Pace said. "They’re sponges. They just soak up everything. Sometimes things we don’t want them to soak up. They’re eager and they’re willing and just the excitement they come in with."
With those sweet hugs and big smiles, Pace says these students have become her family.
"Last week, we took class pictures, and I told them the day before, ‘I need everybody here for our family picture,’” Pace said.
As most mamas do, Pace said she’ll do anything for her kids.
"I’ll do whatever it takes. If I have to dress crazy or sing crazy, 'cause I don’t have the best singing voice. Whatever I have to do to get them excited, I’ll do it," she said.
Click here to see other teachers who have been honored with the WJCL 22 Teacher Feature Award.