Donya Coggins
Lowndes Middle School
8th Grade Georgia Studies

1. How long have you been teaching? I was a para-professional for 10 years and five years as a certified teacher.

2. What inspired you to pursue a career in education? I was inspired by watching my own children grow in knowledge by their teachers at school. I wanted to be that teacher to help those students grow in knowledge and help keep them on their educational paths.

3. What is your favorite thing about teaching or your biggest success story? My favorite thing about teaching is watching students light up when they have learned something new. Receiving verbal feedback from my students that they love coming to my class each day is the absolute best!

4. What challenges do you face in the classroom? A change in the classroom that I notice is that technology is becoming more and more advanced, and I am hoping to utilize those advancements as much as possible. 

5. How do Gallopade products or Gallopade Curriculum help you in the classroom? I use Gallopade as an additional resource to go along with the curriculum I am teaching.

6. What is something that every student should know about teachers? Students should know that teachers, like myself, teach out of their love for the students. Watching them succeed is the true reward.

7. What advice would you impart to a new teacher or someone who wants to become a teacher? For new teachers, be flexible and patient. Teachers have to evolve along with the world their students live in.

8. What do you love to do when you're not teaching? I love to dabble in home decorating and hunting.

Do you know an educator who goes above and beyond the call of duty to inspire their students? Nominate them for Teacher of the Month!