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Teacher works and prays for students and they succeed
By LYNN SKAPYAK HARLIN, My Westside Sun
Aug 23, 2008
For Christine Hicks, it's all about the kids.
Hicks, summer Exceptional Education Students teacher at Chimney Lakes Elementary School, recently held a luncheon for her students and their parents to celebrate their success in the summer reading program.
"She's a wonderful lady and her whole heart is for the children," said Janet Knott, principal at Chimney Lakes. "She takes a personal interest in each and every one of them. She works with children with exceptional needs. This is her calling."
Hicks has been a special education teacher for 18 years at Jacksonville Heights Elementary. For the past seven years, she has not missed a day of work. This summer she worked at Chimney Lakes.
Susan Smith, assistant principal at Chimney Lakes Elementary School, said the Summer Reading School had about 170 students enrolled and the teachers had smaller classes, and were able to have three small groups a day.
This year will be the first using Houghton Mifflin's "Soar to Success" reading program. Smith said it helps fill in the blanks some readers have in their skills. Each of the teachers communicated with the parents daily.
"Mrs. Hicks has made the most of the 20-day program. She has set exceptional goals for each of her students, which they have met. She expected nothing less than the best from these kids," Smith said.
One of Hicks' students, Tanaya Bates, 6, could write only the "T" in her name when she started. Her mother, Westside resident Ella Bates, said the daily reports from her teacher helped.
"I could see her progress every day. She did real well. She came a long way. Tanaya can write her name and she talks more now," Ella Bates said.
Hicks attributes her success to prayer and faith.
"I am a praying teacher who prays for the students; this, mixed with hard work, genuine dedication and perseverance. I am proactive in my attempts to raise the level of expectancy of students."
Karen Glover, an Argyle resident, said her son Joshua's reading skills were minimal when he started the program.
"One day I came home from work and he was reading to his father. It made me almost cry. Now he is excited about books," Glover said.
Hicks said she enjoys teaching and loves working with people.
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