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Leskeina Knowles-Gastin encourages her students to be lifelong readers at A.B Williams Elementary

Originally from the Bahamas, Knowles-Gastin said she always knew she wanted to be a teacher.

Leskeina Knowles-Gastin encourages her students to be lifelong readers at A.B Williams Elementary

Originally from the Bahamas, Knowles-Gastin said she always knew she wanted to be a teacher.

THE BANANAS ARE SET TO KICK OFF A THREE GAME HOME STAND RIGHT HERE IN SAVANNAH STARTING ON THURSDAY. FOR THIS WEEKS TEACHER FEATURE .... WE'RE HEADING TO A-B WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY IN SAVANNAH. AS WJCL 22 NEWS EMMA HAMILTON REPORTS THAT'S WHERE ONE THIRD GRADE TEACHER IS ENCOURAGING HER STUDENTS TO BE LIFELONG READERS. <> "I LOVE KIDS" LESKEINA KNOWLES-GASTIN HAS BEEN TEACHING ELEMENTARY STUDENTS FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS IN CHATHAM COUNTY. ORIGINALLY FROM THE BAHAMAS ... KNOWLES-GASTIN SAYS SHE ALWAYS KNEW SHE WANTED TO BE A TEACHER. <> "I KNOW HOW EDUCATION IS SO IMPORTANT. THAT'S SOMETHING MY DAD INSTILLED IN ME AND MY SIBLINGS GROWING UP. IF YOU HAVE A GOOD EDUCATION, YOU'RE ABLE TO GO ANYWHERE AND HAVE SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES." KNOWLES-GASTIN TAUGHT FIRST GRADE BEFORE SWITCHING TO THIRD GRADE. SHE SAYS SHE ENJOYS THIRD GRADE BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE INDEPENDENT. HER FAVORITE SUBJECT TO TEACH IS READING. <> "I LOVE TEACHING READING. I AM THE READING TEACHER SO I TRY AND TELL THE KIDS 'HEY, WITH READING, EVEN WITH MATH, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO READ WORD PROBLEMS.' YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO READ. READ MAGAZINES, ARTICLES. I TELL THEM WHEN YOU APPLY FOR A JOB YOU HAVE TO READ THE APPLICATION FORM" <> "WITH READING I TELL THEM YOU CAN USE YOUR IMAGINATION AND IT CAN TAKE YOU WHEREVER YOU WANT TO GO." KNOWLES-GASTIN SAYS THESE STUDENTS ARE WHY SHE GETS UP AND TEACHES EVERY DAY. <> "I DO IT FOR THE KIDS. THAT'S MY WHY" AND WHILE SHE'S TEACHING THEM ACADEMICS ... KNOWLES GASTIN SAYS THEY'RE TEACHING HER PATIENCE ... AND HOW TO MEET EVERYONE'S INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. <> "THESE KIDS ARE GOING TO BE SOMETHING SOME DAY AND THAT'S WHAT IM PROUD OF" REPORTING IN SAVANNAH ... EH WJCL 22 NEWS. IF YOU'D LIKE TO NOMINATE A TEACHER TO BE OUR NE
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Leskeina Knowles-Gastin encourages her students to be lifelong readers at A.B Williams Elementary

Originally from the Bahamas, Knowles-Gastin said she always knew she wanted to be a teacher.

Click here to nominate an educator for WJCL's Teacher Feature.Leskeina Knowles-Gastin has been teaching elementary students for the last five years in Chatham County. "I love kids," she said.Originally from the Bahamas, Knowles-Gastin said she always knew she wanted to be a teacher. "I know how education is so important. That's something my dad instilled in me and my siblings growing up. If you have a good education, you're able to go anywhere and have so many opportunities," Knowles-Gastin said. She taught first grade before switching to third grade and says she enjoys third grade because they are more independent. Knowles-Gastin's favorite subject to teach is reading. "I love teaching reading. I am the reading teacher, so I try and tell the kids 'Hey, with reading, even with math, you have to be able to read word problems.' You need to be able to read. Read magazines, articles. I tell them when you apply for a job, you have to read the application form," Knowles-Gastin said. She continued, "With reading, I tell them you can use your imagination and it can take you wherever you want to go."Knowles-Gastin says her students are why she gets up and teaches every day. "I do it for the kids. That's my why." While she's teaching them academics, Knowles-Gastin says they're teaching her patience and how to meet everyone's individual needs. She said, "These kids are going to be something someday and that's what I'm proud of."Click here to see other teachers who have been honored with the WJCL 22 Teacher Feature Award.

Click here to nominate an educator for WJCL's Teacher Feature.

Leskeina Knowles-Gastin has been teaching elementary students for the last five years in Chatham County. "I love kids," she said.

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Originally from the Bahamas, Knowles-Gastin said she always knew she wanted to be a teacher.

"I know how education is so important. That's something my dad instilled in me and my siblings growing up. If you have a good education, you're able to go anywhere and have so many opportunities," Knowles-Gastin said.

She taught first grade before switching to third grade and says she enjoys third grade because they are more independent. Knowles-Gastin's favorite subject to teach is reading.

"I love teaching reading. I am the reading teacher, so I try and tell the kids 'Hey, with reading, even with math, you have to be able to read word problems.' You need to be able to read. Read magazines, articles. I tell them when you apply for a job, you have to read the application form," Knowles-Gastin said. She continued, "With reading, I tell them you can use your imagination and it can take you wherever you want to go."

Knowles-Gastin says her students are why she gets up and teaches every day. "I do it for the kids. That's my why." While she's teaching them academics, Knowles-Gastin says they're teaching her patience and how to meet everyone's individual needs.

She said, "These kids are going to be something someday and that's what I'm proud of."

Click here to see other teachers who have been honored with the WJCL 22 Teacher Feature Award.