By BECKY CRISSMAN

becky.crissman@gaflnews.com



CORDELE — Almost any adult today can tell you that at one time or another growing up they played house, doctor, school, or something else to that effect. Nikki Ransom is no different. She fondly recalled playing school with childhood friends.

“For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a teacher. My mother and sister-in-law are both teachers and I have aunts that are teachers. It is kind of a family thing.”

Ransom grew up in the city of Unadilla in Dooly County. She is the only daughter of David and Karen Ransom. She attended school at Fullington Academy where she began testing the water as a teacher by tutoring other students.

“At Fullington there were two options; You could take P.E. or become a tutor. I opted to be a tutor because I liked teaching better.”

After graduating from Fullington Academy in 1998, she enrolled at Georgia Southwestern College in Americus with a major in early childhood education.

“I know some people change their major at least once, but mine was set in stone the day I enrolled.”

Ransom went on to achieve her bachelors degree in 2003 and her master’s in 2006. She has just entered her sixth year at A.S. Clark Elementary School where, she did her practicum in college. She has taught third, fourth, and fifth grade students on all levels of learning from inclusion to gifted. Ransom teaches a wide variety of skills to her students including; Story elements, cause and effect, and plot. She also puts a lot of emphasis on comprehension.

“A child can read something over and over and it will not have any real impact unless they understand the meaning of what they are reading.”

In the society we live in today video games and text messaging have began to take front seat to a lot of things, even education. In order to hold the attention of her students Ransom feels it is important to be active with them.

“I seldom do worksheets and things like that. The kids enjoy doing what we call ‘centers’. They are sometimes split into groups between myself and co-teacher Amy McCree.”

Ransom says that when activity calls for the children to be in the floor she is right down there with them. She seldom uses worksheets because the interaction with the children is better. It helps nurture their learning because you can hone in on a child’s individual needs and give them better understanding.

“You should never give up on a child; even if they have discipline problems or difficulty learning.”

Ransom believes that the teachers should work together as team because they need the encouragement from each other to help in challenging times. Most importantly she believes that in order for a child to truly succeed, it takes support from everyone in that child’s life both in school and outside the classroom.

“Parents need to be involved with the education of their children. The education process begins in the classroom, but children also need that positive reinforcement once they get home. There is a big difference between children whose parents take an active role in their education and those who do not. You still stick with them and never give up.”

Ransom says the big pay off is to see a child grow and the swell of pride they feel from achieving something.

“I cannot think of anything else I would rather be doing. I feel like I have left a mark on the children I teach. I like to keep up with them and see how they are doing after they move on up. It is rewarding to have a child remember you after they have moved on. It really puts thing into perspective.”

During the last school year Ransom was honored for her teaching efforts by being named Teacher of the Year for A.S. Clark. Then she was shocked as she was awarded System Wide Teacher of the Year during Crisp County’s open session held recently at Crisp County Middle School.

“I felt proud to be on the stage with all the recipients from the other schools. They are all fine educators. I feel honored to be selected, because it really makes me feel as though I am doing something right.”

Ransom says that in the future she will go for a six year degree in leadership and may consider one day working in curriculum.

“Right now I am going to stay right where I am. I love being a teacher. It is all I have ever really wanted to be.”