Alumni Spotlight: Courtney Sims, M.T. Elementary Education

Photo: Courtney Sims (center) with Sycamore Park Elementary School Principal Derek McWilliams (left) and Assistant Principal Amy Cackowski (right).

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in education?

I grew up as the fourth of five daughters. When I was a little girl, I would play school and “teach” my little sister her homework. When I was in high school at Goochland High School in Goochland, Virginia, I had the opportunity to participate in the Teachers for Tomorrow program during both my junior and senior years. I experienced student teaching in kindergarten, fourth grade, and middle school classrooms, which solidified my belief that teaching was my calling.  

Q: Why did you choose to enroll in the UVA Master of Teaching in Elementary Education program?

My biggest passion is literacy education, and the magic of reading happens in elementary school. When applying to universities, I researched schools that offered a Master of Teaching in elementary education. UVA was, of course, the top program, with educators who were pioneering the way education across the country would look. I was so thankful and excited when I was accepted, and I am very proud to be a Wahoo today!

Q: How would you describe your overall experience at UVA?

My five years at UVA were filled with so many life-altering experiences. Growing up in a smaller county, I had not met many people from outside of our little bubble in central Virginia. The diverse cultural experiences and opportunities to try things I had never even heard of before arriving on Grounds shaped me into the person and educator I am today. I also pursued a few leadership roles while on Grounds, specifically being a “sup” (supervisor) at the AFC and a first-year RA in Cauthen. These leadership roles pushed me out of my comfort zone and built up my leadership skills that I rely on daily in the classroom and as a teacher leader for my grade level.

Q: If you had to choose one thing that had the greatest impact on your during your time at UVA, what would that be?

My student teaching experience had the biggest impact on my professional career. UVA placed me with a Kindergarten teacher, Meg Franco, at Meriwether Lewis Elementary school in Albemarle for the 16-week student teaching experience. I am so grateful that I got to work with Mrs. Franco and learn under her. She taught me how to build a welcoming classroom community where learning is fun and engaging for all students. There was never a dull moment, and I have tried to bring this joy and love of learning she exudes into my own classroom. Taking all the skills that I was learning in my program and applying them to Mrs. Franco’s classroom prepared me for taking on my own classroom shortly after.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of being an elementary school teacher that you wish more people understood?

I wish more people understood just how dedicated educators are to their students. My students do not stop being “my kids” when the bell rings on the last day of school. They are “my kids” for life. I am invested in their lives, cheering them on from the sidelines, and always there in case they need an encouraging word or high five. Seeing my students visit my classroom years after I was their teacher and being excited to share what is going on in their lives is so rewarding. The impact teachers make in those small moments is the most rewarding part of teaching.

Q: How does it feel to be named Culpeper County Public Schools’ District Teacher of the Year?

As a Wahoo, the word honor is not thrown around lightly, but that is the perfect word to describe how it feels. I am honored to represent my school, my county, but most importantly my students. Teaching is a craft that takes time and effort each day to cultivate. Teaching is my passion and a huge part of my identity. I wear this distinction proudly and am incredibly honored. This award has also been reinvigorating and given me a boost to keep going, to keep putting in the time, and to continue showing up as my best self for my students.

Q: What are your goals for your teaching career in the next few years?

I am currently working on my reading specialist certification to expand my teaching license to be a K-12 reading specialist. My goal is to share my love of teaching literacy by working as a reading specialist at the elementary level in the next few years.  

Q: What piece of advice would you like to give to aspiring teachers?

The biggest piece of advice I would give aspiring teachers is to find your people. Find the people whose goals align with yours. Find the people who lift you up when you are feeling overwhelmed or down. Find the people with whom you can share the funny things your student said that day. Find the people who you can bounce ideas off of, knowing they will give you honest feedback. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to teach 20 of them each year. Finding a group of people in your school who “get you” makes the biggest difference.