Mrs. Courtney Fox

Being a lifetime resident of Yancey County, NC, I attended Clearmont, Cane River, and Mountain Heritage. It is with inspiration from educators in this school system that I sought a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Grades Education, with concentrations in mathematics and science, at Lenoir-Rhyne University (Hickory, NC) as a NC Teaching Fellow and returned to the county as a teacher for the past six years. I am licensed to teach mathematics, science, and social studies for grades 6-9.

I live by the Chinese Proverb: "Give a man a fish, feed him for the day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime." It is with this mindset that I have developed the teaching philosophy that engaging, encouraging, and empowering are the very essence of learning. Learning is only meaningful if we are able to find relevancy and connections to our personal lives (past, present, or future), and feel supported when we contribute new ideas to our learning communities. This relevancy and support give us a sense of empowerment--empowerment that makes us want to build, create, and explore ideas in new, innovative ways. In our ever-developing world, innovation is the spark that will light the fire of tomorrow. We-the teachers, parents, and students-must create sparks that will ignite the imagination that will lead us into the future.

Therefore, it is my dream as a teacher to touch the lives of my students just as many of my teachers touched and influenced me. As a teacher, I hope to help many, but influence at least one student a year. For the next twenty-five years, if in my career, I influence just one student each year, and these students in turn began to touch the lives of just one person each year, for the rest of their lives, I have become part of a process that has inspired and helped hundreds in just a seemingly small period of time. I believe that one person can make a difference. The possibility of a different world, lies within the very heart of each of us.