Melanie Counts believes any student can learn when they have the support of a teacher who knows and cares about them.
The Caledonia High School English II teacher has baked that belief into her classroom, where she prioritizes her students through intentional teaching that is meant to be engaging and impactful.
“I think it really boils down to getting to know the students and building meaningful relationships with them, showing them you’re invested and that you care,” Counts told The Dispatch.
On Tuesday, the Mississippi Department of Education announced Counts as the 2024 Teacher of the Year finalist for Congressional District 1.
The winner of the award, chosen from four finalists, will receive a $5,000 stipend and the opportunity to share their expertise to help improve education in Mississippi.
Counts, who was also named Teacher of the Year for the Lowndes County School District earlier this year, said she hadn’t expected the recognition.
“I was very honored to have been chosen, but it definitely was very much a surprise as well,” she said.
Growing up in Bay Springs, Counts was taught by the same handful of teachers each year of her high school career. She credits those teachers with inspiring her to go into the profession, specifically their ability to foster strong relationships with her and other students.
“That kind of set up the idea,” she said. “I want to be that involved and invested. It’s harder in a school setting as large as I’m in, but developing those relationships is so important. And my teachers were so good at that.”
Counts has carried that philosophy into her own classroom at Caledonia, where she’s taught the last 16 years of her 17-year career.
Her teaching style focuses on building strong relationships not only with her students but also with their support system at home. When she receives a new group of students, Counts has a parent or guardian write a letter to her about their child.
“Just so I can get that perspective from the people that love them the most,” she said. “That kind of unifies us from the get-go. I feel like it opens those lines of communication and helps set the tone for the year.”
Good communication is a staple in Counts’ classroom. One of her favorite aspects of teaching is listening to her students learn how to communicate as they go through the class content. She said that when they have the space to express themselves, they learn how to honor their own perspectives while appreciating others.
“One of the things I love is that we are able to teach such real word lessons through our conversations and our content,” she said. “… It’s not just me showing them respect and them showing me respect. They’re respecting each other, and they’re valuing the thoughts and opinions of others.”
Counts admits that English II isn’t always the most riveting subject for students. To keep them engaged, she has to get creative.
Once she made a list of all the professions her students were interested in and shared it on social media to ask people in those fields to share how they use English and communication skills in their day-to-day lives. She got a great response, even hearing back from a professional football player and a missionary stationed in Africa.
“It really helped to make it relevant to them and help them understand why we do what we do,” she said.
Caledonia High School Principal Gregory Elliott said Counts’ commitment to her students and her craft is truly commendable.
“Mrs. Counts’ tireless efforts have not only elevated the academic standards at Caledonia High but have also contributed significantly to the school’s prestigious ‘A’ rating and its recognition as a 2023 Blue Ribbon School,” he told The Dispatch. “Her passion for teaching is evident in her dynamic approach in the classroom, where she instills not only knowledge but also a love for learning in her students. … Caledonia High School is fortunate to have educators of her caliber shaping the minds of our students.”
While there have been challenges – like learning how to discipline students as a young teacher and finding a work life balance as a new mother – Counts said her career has been a fulfilling one, marked by the relationships built between her and her students.
“Relationships are the biggest key …” she said. “You want your students to respect you, and you want to respect them as well. I think once you establish those relationships, that’s the key.”
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
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