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 articles, we will highlight our 2022 High Point Extraordinary Educators as we dive deeper into what keeps them motivated in the face of constant challenges.
2022 Extraordinary Educator: Patricia Alford
Patricia Alford started her teaching career at Fairview Elementary School 7 years ago. She stays because of the school’s culture, social support, and connection with her colleagues and the greater community.
Abe Hege, the principal of Fairview Elementary School, describes Mrs. Alford as “the example of a great teacher and an even better person; always willing to help where needed and brings positivity to all situations.”
According to Hege, Mrs. Alford “is admired by her colleagues because of her unmatched work ethic, dedication to scholars’ learning, and her ability to reach scholars and help them go above and beyond both academically and socially.“
Mrs. Alford wants her students and parents to know “Our relationships with students and parents are a partnership.”
Q: What inspired you to become an educator?
A: I was inspired to become an educator because I was eager to make a difference in a child’s life. I believe a child’s life is worth my time to inspire them to achieve anything in life.
Q: What’s your teaching/leadership style?
A: My teaching/leadership style is a coaching style. I take on a mentoring role for my team and class. I believe in building strong bonds and focusing on helping others develop their skills in education.
Q: Do you have a classroom motto or philosophy you abide by? Why?
A: My classroom motto is “Today is a good day to have a good day!” Every day is a fresh start to do better and learn something new.
Q: What’s your favorite part about every day?
A: The best part about every day is seeing a student actively and eagerly engaged in learning.
Q: What’s your most memorable moment as an educator?
A: In my third year of teaching at Fairview Elementary a student told me that the only reason she comes to school to learn is that she wants to be a teacher just like me and she knows that I love her. She said you tell me you love me and give me a hug every day at school. One day I will be just like you. At that moment I knew I had made a difference in a child’s life.
Q: Is there any other information you would like us to share with the community?
A: I’m passionate about teaching and preparing students to be leaders in our community.
Mrs. Alford is just one of High Point’s 2022 Extraordinary Educators. Tune in for the next few weeks to hear more stories and inspiring moments from our local teachers!
Thank you so much to Patricia Alford for your dedication to High Point’s students. Congratulations on being selected as your school’s 2022 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
