Meet Walking Classroom Ambassador Tiffany Tripp. Tiffany teaches fourth grade students at Columbus Gifted Academy in Ohio. Now beginning her second year using The Walking Classroom, she has worked in education for eighteen years!
What are your memories of yourself when you were that age?
In fourth grade, I got the teacher everyone wanted! I remember feeling excited about learning, growing confident in who I was, and working hard to memorize multiplication facts.
What led you to become an educator?
I come from a long line of teachers. Even as a young child, teaching my little sister math on the playroom chalkboard, I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. A gifted class I took in college planted the dream of a role as a classroom teacher for gifted students.
Share your educational philosophy in one to three sentences.
Each child is a different individual with unique interests, abilities, background, and style. My role is to support and direct them all through engaging and active learning opportunities that meet their academic and social-emotional needs.
What is your favorite content area/topic to teach? Why?
Math. It’s very logical, applicable, and fun to teach!
What is your favorite podcast or Walking Classroom memory and why?
Our school was in a very historic area of Columbus. Walking through brick roads and old homes on a quiet, sunny morning in the fall, while overhearing my scholars discuss quietly the topic they had just heard, made my heart smile.
What is your best teaching memory?
How do I narrow it down to one? It could be the moment the frightened scholar took the stage and nailed his line, his face lighting up like a blazing sun, or when the reluctant, unconfident writer shared the amazing sonnet he had written as a personal piece of writing. Maybe it’s the beautiful moments when children love the challenging student and offer such grace and kindness that you’re humbled.
What advice would you give to a new teacher?
Pace yourself. Take care of yourself and your family. This is not your life, even though it feels like it. Pause in moments to appreciate the “ah-ha’s” and the beauty of childhood.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy spending time with my family, racing across a pool or running at sunset.
Name something you’d like to cross off your bucket list.
I’d love to visit New England in the fall or go white water rafting!
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