10 minutes with Michelle Richardson
HCS Teacher of the Year
 Aynor Elementary School’s Michelle Richardson was named the Horry County Schools Teacher of the Year in May. It was a hallmark moment for the child development teacher who had grown up locally and taught here for 16 years. A busy teacher, wife, and mom, Michelle takes a few moments to share her thoughts about being the Teacher of the Year and the passion she shares for teaching.
Q. What was going through your mind the moment you were named the District Teacher of the Year?
MR: Basically, shock and disbelief. I was overwhelmed, humbled and greatly honored beyond measure to be chosen among such incredible educators by individuals whom I greatly admire and respect.
Q. What did this announcement mean to you professionally?
MR: Professionally, it validates my passion, dedication, and experience for teaching young children. If you put a lot of time and effort into something you love, you will always find success in yourself and in others.
Q. When you addressed the attendees at the banquet, you took your teaching assistant, Melissa Harris, with you to the stage. Explain why.
MR: During this entire Teacher of the Year process, it has been my assistant that has encouraged me and experienced every moment with me along the way. I found it only appropriate to have her by my side to share the incredible experience.
Q. You said you did not grow up wanting to be a teacher. What changed your mind?
MR: Working with children at my church, I found the experiences to be rewarding, exciting, and fun. It became a passion for me and through those experiences, I found that God had given me the gift of teaching.
Q. How long have you been teaching and at what schools have you taught?
MR: I have been teaching for 16 years. I taught for eight years at Homewood Elementary School in child development, fourth grade, and kindergarten. I have currently taught eight years at Aynor Elementary School in child development.
Q. What do you like best about teaching at the primary level?
MR: Experiencing the tremendous growth of each student as they begin their journey of learning is one of the greatest attributes of teaching young children. The many “firsts” of each student in writing their first letter, word, sentence, and story are tremendous. Guiding young learners through the literacy process is the ultimate joy for a teacher. The rewards that I gain from those experiences are infinite and indescribable. The love and admiration that young learners give back to me is the ultimate gift to me as their teacher. The enthusiasm and thirst for learning in young children is fuel for the soul.
Q. What is most difficult about teaching four and five year-olds?
MR: Keeping them all engaged and focused at the same time.
Q. What are some of the “behind the scenes” moments involved with teaching your students that most people never know about?
MR: While there are some that shouldn’t be shared because of student privacy, there are others that remind you of the wonder of young children. For example, one child would hide from me under a beanbag chair during workstations and thought it was a fun game. Another child tied his shoelaces to his chair leg and panicked when he could not get free. Then there was a time I held a child who was having an asthma attack while we rode in the back of the ambulance to the hospital.
Q. You are a busy mom and wife, with three boys of your own. Where do you get the energy and the patience to be at your best for everyone in your life?
MR: God, love, and faith are the ultimate driving forces of wanting and striving to be the best for everyone in my life. The rewards I gain as a wife, mother, educator, and friend far outweigh what I could ever give back.
Q. What do you do on your own time to unwind and refuel?
MR: I watch my boys play ball, watch movies with my family, play ball with my boys, take long walks, sit by the pool with a good book, spend time on the river, and read inspirational stories, devotionals and my Bible.
Q. Who has been your biggest influence in your teaching career?
MR: Throughout my teaching career, it has been the support of my family, co-workers, and friends that have influenced me to grow as an individual, as well as an educator. Without the support of my husband and parents in my role as a life-long learner, I could not have juggled all of my responsibilities as a wife and parent. I owe so much to God and my family for their support in everything that I have accomplished.
Q. As your title of Teacher of the Year puts you in the role of being a spokesperson for public education, what messages do you want to deliver?
MR: I want to convey to all educators that students in our classrooms are special gifts that are each unique and important. We have the awesome responsibility of molding minds and building character in each individual. We should never lose sight that our actions and our words help mold our students into being. Therefore, we should strive to be the positive, encouraging, and inspiring force in each student’s life. This makes all the difference in determining a successful path for each student.
Q. What have your own children taught you about being an educator?
MR: My own children have taught me ….
- to be a mother (nurturer) to my students first.
- to have a greater understanding of parents, because I am one.
- to know that children do not always act like they are taught at home.
- not to sweat the small stuff and to focus on the important issues.
- not to ever assume anything--always make sure.
- that it does take a village to raise a child.
- that boys need lots of movement and many boundaries.
- to always be prepared for the unexpected. Have at least three plans… A, B, and C.
- to listen with my heart.
- to treat your students like your own.
- that words are powerful--so choose them wisely.
- that children model our behaviors- so be a good model.
- that hugs and praise create success in growing and learning.
- that each student is someone else’s child, so treat them with respect, just like you would like yours to be treated.
Q. What is it like raising three boys? Are you always out-numbered?
MR: Raising three boys is like….
- being a referee in wrestling matches, backyard ballgames, and video games.
- being in a war zone: very loud, running, dodging flying balls, clothes on the floor, and unknown items underneath beds.
- being a detective trying to figure out their unorganized binders and missing items.
- being a celebrity because I am the most needed person in the world because they always need Momma.
- being the Queen because they make sure Momma is taken care of.
- I love being the only woman in my house and I am so thankful to have my husband and three incredible boys in my life. They keep me grounded and are constant reminders of the important things in life.
Q. What do you plan to do this summer?
MR: This summer, I plan on spending quality time with my boys, spending time at the beach and the river with friends, vacationing at White Lake with extended family, watching my boys play baseball, taking a trip to the 11U World Series in Charleston to watch my son, attending several workshops, and working in my classroom.
Q. Down the road, what do you see yourself doing in your retirement?
MR: In my retirement, I see myself continuing to give back to my community by volunteering at schools, my church daycare, and at church. Hopefully, grandchildren will be in my future so I can enjoy spending time with them and supporting their dreams.
Q. What books are you reading right now?
MR: Fear Not Tomorrow, God Is Already There by Ruth Graham;
Differentiating Instruction in Kindergarten by Cindy Middendorf; and
Life Would Be Easy If It Weren’t for Other People (Understanding and dealing with different personalities) by Connie Podesta with Vicki Sanderson.
Q. What is your favorite children’s book and why?
MR: My favorite children’s book is Horton Hatches An Egg by Dr. Seuss. The theme of the story touches my heart each time I read it because Horton displays the ultimate portrayal of what a faithful person should be and what commitment looks like.
Q. If you were granted three wishes, what would they be?
MR: 1. Health 2. Happiness 3. Security
Q. What three words would you hope others would use to describe you?
MR: Helpful, responsible, and caring.
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