Preparing for her 18th year as a teacher, Michelle Scott has spent 10 of those with the Early ISD, where she teaches first grade at the Primary School.
“Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to teach in several places including Fort Worth, Mineral Wells, Dallas, Abilene, and Brownwood,” Scott said. “And I’m currently proud to be a part of Early ISD.”
Regarding her desire to become a teacher, Scott said, “I’ve always had a passion for working with children. It’s something that’s been a part of me for as long as I can remember. Every job I’ve ever had involved kids in some way. I originally planned to go to college to become a child or teen counselor, but at the last minute, I felt God pulling me in a different direction. I truly believe He was leading me to become a teacher, and I haven’t once regretted that decision.”
Reflecting on her days as a student, Scott recalled an early teaching influence.
“I’ll always remember my elementary teacher, Mrs. Joan Hawkins,” Scott said. “Being in her class was such a joy—she made learning so much fun, and we were always laughing. She inspired me, and from that time on, I knew I wanted to be a teacher just like her.”
Scott spent most of her school years in Decatur, but her family moved her junior year and she graduated from Temple Christian School in Fort Worth. She then went on to attend Arlington Baptist University.
As for the most rewarding as aspects of teaching, Scott said, “One of the things I cherish most about teaching is creating a close-knit classroom family each year. By the time the year ends, it’s always tough to say goodbye because those sweet little ones truly feel like my own. Seeing their growth, both academically and personally, throughout the year is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.”
Looking ahead to the future, Scott said, “Education has come such a long way since I first started teaching, and I’m loving all the new and improved ways we’re finding to help today’s kids succeed. What worked back then might not work now, and it’s exciting to be part of a field that’s always growing and adapting for this generation.”
Michelle and her husband Philip, who is the pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Early, will be married 24 years in August. They have a daughter, Maylee, who will be a senior this year at Early High School.
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BrownwoodNews.com will highlight one Brown County educator per day in the month of July, based on nominations received on our Facebook page, for our Teacher Feature series.