2021 Extraordinary Educators: Muriel Sanders
Great communities have great schools. High Point Schools Partnership creates impactful connections between our schools and the wider community to ensure students and their families are supported and can reach their full potential in High Point schools.
Part of High Point Schools Partnerships’ mission is to improve the image of our schools through storytelling. Who better to tell the stories of High Point’s schools than the people experiencing it first-hand? In this series of eight articles, we will highlight our 2021 High Point Extraordinary Educators as we dive deeper into what keeps them motivated in the face of constant challenges.
Muriel Sanders
Muriel has had the pleasure of working at Fairview Elementary School since 2007. Her students bring her joy and are her why. They remind her of her 2 daughters and inspire her to show up and give her all, even at times when she doesn’t quite feel up to it.
Abe Hege, the principal of Fairview Elementary school, describes Ms.Sanders as “a beloved and valued member of the Fairview staff” who “does whatever it takes for her scholars and teammates”.
According to Hege, during remote learning, Ms.Sanders “never lowers the bar for her scholars, equipping them with the skills they will need to be successful.”
Ms.Sanders wants her students to know “I care about each one of you.”
She goes on to say, “Every day I step into the classroom, I commit to doing my best, advocate for my students, and work to prepare them for this world through education. I love what I do, I love the people I get to serve and count it as an honor to help build the next generation of leaders. You are loved, valued and cared for. “
Q: What inspired you to become an educator?
A: I became an educator out of curiosity, initially. I wanted to know what was going on behind the scenes in education, that parents don’t always get to see. When my youngest daughter began school, I volunteered for several activities/events in the classroom and at the school. I became more interested in the day to day operations of education. From there, I decided to return to school and obtain my degree in education.
Q: What’s your teaching/leadership style?
A: My teaching style and leadership style are based on modeling. In Kindergarten, Students learn most by seeing and then doing. If I model the behavior or action, I expect my students to follow and do the same. I do my best to bring life into the classroom and the best way to do that is to inspire the students to do their best by showing them my best, Daily!
Q: Do you have a classroom motto or philosophy you abide by? Why?
A: There are 3 ideals that guide my philosophy and classroom motto:
- Choose your attitude
- Do your best
- Don’t say you can’t because you can if you try
These 3 ideals are very simple but are important in shaping young students’ minds. When you show up to my classroom, you leave what happened at home at the door. My expectations are for all my students to do their best. I don’t believe in using the word can’t because you can if you try.
Q: What’s your favorite part about every day?
A: The best part about every day is knowing I am making a difference in a student’s life. The school I have been working at is in a low-income area and the students are not exposed to much outside of their own community. I encourage them and expose them to much more than they would see on a regular basis. I love seeing them excited about learning.
Q: What’s your most memorable moment as an educator?
A: When I first began teaching, I had a student that thought he was my bodyguard. He did everything from checking my mailbox, to sitting right next to me during carpet time. He was so intelligent and was an overall amazing student. His care for me melted my heart.
Mrs. Sanders is just one of High Point’s 2021 Extraordinary Educators. Tune in for the next few weeks to hear more stories and critical moments from our local teachers!
Thank you so much to Muriel Sanders for your dedication to High Point’s students. Congratulations on being selected as your school’s 2021 Extraordinary Educator!
To find out more about High Point Schools Partnership and our work, please visit our Facebook page and check out our page on Guilford Education Alliance’s website.
Article written by High Point Schools Partnership Staff
