Freedom Trail Elementary School

I traveled to Avery County to visit Freedom  Trail Elementary School located in Avery County.  I had such a wonderful time!  It was amazing to see the students using ipads (they are 1:1), collaborating together, and creating projects!  The students were so excited and it was apparent that they were learning!

The Press Release is below: 

Darcy Grimes North Carolina Teacher of the Year 2012-13 visits Freedom

Trail Elementary School

Darcy Grimes, the North Carolina Teacher of the Year 2012-13 spent the

day observing and interacting with students and teachers at Freedom Trail

Elementary School last Friday, April 5th. Ms. Grimes has spent the past

year visiting various schools across the state in order to better advocate

for educators. She is a third grade teacher at Bethel Elementary School in

Watauga County which gives her a special connection to Freedom Trail

students and families. When the Beech Mountain School closed students made

a choice to attend either Freedom Trail Elementary or Bethel Elementary

Schools. Ms. Grimes was so impressed with the families and students from

Beech Mountain, that she wanted to visit the school system they had

attended. Ms. Grimes was just as impressed with FTE stating that she had

observed some of the best teachers and classrooms in the state.

Ms. Grimes met with the teachers and was able to offer a time of question

and answers as well as sharing her reasons for being a teacher. Perhaps the

conversation with Lily and Ms. Grimes explains it best.

“Is teaching hard, Ms. Grimes?” asked Lily, a third grade student.

“Well, for me teaching is exciting! I look forward to coming to school

every day to build relationships with our class. I love learning with you

and making each day exciting and fun. Yes, teaching can take up a lot of

time creating a learner centered classroom, but all of the time I spend is

worth it when I see the excitement on your faces. I love what I do every

day and it doesn’t feel like work.” Lily said, “When I become a teacher I

         hope I’m like you and it doesn’t feel hard for me either.”