Chanda Clayton Reeves 2nd Grade

Q.) How many years have you been in the education profession? What made you gravitate towards it?

A.) This is my 24th year teaching 2nd grade at Lewis County Elementary School. I have always loved school and learning. I wanted to share this love with others.

Q.) What is the most rewarding part of your job as an educator? Can you tell me a little about how being an educator has influenced you or what it has taught you over the years?

A.) The most rewarding part of teaching is seeing the excitement on students' faces when they feel successful and the relationships formed with students and parents. I get so excited when former students stop by to say hi. I love seeing students out in the community, getting sweet hugs, and seeing how they have grown and what they are doing in life.

Q.) What is your goal as a teacher at LCIS this year?

A.) My goal as a LCES teacher is to help my students reach their own personal best and to help them be good students, kind friends, problem solvers, thinkers and productive citizens. Everyday I am teaching and influencing the future of our country and I don't take that lightly.

Q.) A huge part of making a school function well is teamwork. Can you tell me a little about the team and staff working with you at LCES and how they make Lewis County a great place to learn?

A.) LCES faculty and staff is such a great group to work with! We are literally there for each other during the good, the bad, and the ugly! We pick each other up when we are down and always cheer for each other. From PreK to 2nd grade, we are all in the same boat, working for the same goals. All of my colleagues are so supportive and ready to help anyone at a moment's notice. From the best office staff, cafeteria ladies, to our remarkable assistants, awesome janitors, and all of our faculty, we love and care for "our kids" and only want the very best for them! We truly are all in this together!

Q.) Many people know the professional side of you, but can you tell me a little about yourself outside of school?

A.) Outside of school I spend most of my time with my family. I'm a wife to Keith (29 years!), a Mom to Kerrigan, who recently graduated from LCHS and is pursuing a degree in Radiology, and Kelby, who is married to Caleb Feichtinger and a 6th grade ELA teacher at LCMS, and a Nana to Calyx and Clayton. We have spent the last several years traveling with our girls in sports to travel softball and AAU tournaments. Recently, we are in a new era and we are learning to have more low-key times. Now we have more time for actual "family time". I love to cook big meals for my family. We love Saturdays and Sundays ---family, food and football! We love sports and are always supporting our Panthers, Vols, and Titans!

Q.) Can you tell me a little about how being an educator has influenced you or what it has taught you over the years?

A.) Over the years I've learned don't sweat the small stuff! Give yourself some grace and ask yourself in the big scheme of things "Will this matter next week?" ( This was advice from precious Kaye Starling) However, I also work to remember some things that aren't a big deal to adults are a BIG deal to kids. I think back to the wonderful teachers I have had, Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Cannon, Mrs. Arnold, Mr. Trull. I think about what they did in class and how they made me feel as a student, I ask myself, "How will my students remember me?" I pray that drives me to be a better person and teacher everyday.

Q.) Do you have anything you would like to add?

A.) Over the years I have learned that it is okay to not get it ALL done in one day, learning is a process and small steps lead to big gains! Anything worth doing is worth doing right---so take your time and pride in anything you put your name on.