Amber Wheeler is a first grade teacher at Jessie Lee Pumphrey Elementary School and recently completed her 15th year in education. A product of Goose Creek, she discovered her passion for teaching while participating in the Early Childhood Professionals program at Ross S. Sterling High School. To pursue her goal of teaching, Wheeler attended Lee College for two years, then transferred to the University of Houston- Clear Lake where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and became certified to teach early childhood through fourth grade. In 2008, her teaching career began at Bonnie P. Hopper Primary teaching first grade. She is passionate about her responsibility as a teacher and continues to work toward expanding her knowledge as an educator to impact the lives of students. While Wheeler enjoys teaching her first graders, she also enjoys reading a good book, being outdoors, and spending time with her husband and two children.
“Building positive relationships with your students is crucial not only to your success as a teacher, but also to your students’ success. Establishing positive relationships is the first step in creating a safe, welcoming environment for all learners. If we want students to become academic risk takers, we must provide a supportive environment where students are not restricted by the fear of failure. We can do this by creating a community of respect. Expect from yourself what you expect from your students. Show patience. Do not hesitate to admit your mistakes and apologize. Students need to see you make mistakes and see how you respond to those mistakes, whether it be misspeaking, reacting poorly, or misunderstanding a situation.”
Tameka Mills is an elective and credit recovery teacher at POINT Alternative Center. Being a lifelong learner, she has earned a Bachelor of Administration in Marketing from the University of Houston, a Master of Education in School Administration from Lamar University, and a Master of Science from Texas A&M University – Commerce in E-Learning. She possesses certifications in Secondary Business Administration (6-12) and Principal (Early Childhood-12). Tameka has been employed with Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School district since 2003. During her 19 years with GCCISD, she has served students as a substitute teacher for three years, a regular education teacher for eight years and a Career and Technical Education Coordinator for eight years. Tameka has taught a multitude of courses in the areas of Career and Technical Education (CTE), fine arts and health.
“Teachers must challenge their students and help them reach high expectations that we set for them. We must remember that students watch us very carefully. They observe just as much about us as we do about them, so you must be who you want them to be. You cannot expect students to acquire soft skills and employability skills, especially respect and work ethic, when you do not demonstrate these skills in the classroom and with administrators and colleagues. To be a successful, positive influencer in the lives of children, a safe and inclusive learning environment must be created. Be aware that we all come from different cultures, socioeconomic groups, personal and family situations, and learning styles. However, what we do have in common is the ability to respect, empathize and learn from one another. We should demonstrate a growth mindset and believe that all students can learn.”