My name is Andi McDowell
and I am the ESL(English as a Second Language) teacher here at
Rutland. This is my 3rd year in Wilson County. Previously,
I’ve taught ESL in many other locations, but spent most of my
teaching career in Los Angeles, California.. I love to travel and learn
about different cultures.
I also love reading and spending time with my family and my dog.
I am an animal lover. I have been teaching for 22 years,
but I am still just as excited as I was my first year of teaching.
I love and respect all of my students. I spend my day doing something
that I truly love. I wear a bracelet that says “do what you love and
love what you do” and I get to do that.. I offer my time and that
little extra jolt of confidence that I give when I acknowledge
their thoughts and feelings.
They give me back 10-fold what I give to them.
On the days when I am struggling, their laughter, innocence, honesty,
and their seeking questions lift my spirits. We have mutual
relationship built on trust and giving. I let them know that I am human,
but that my room and heart are always open to them. I give my attention
and devotion to my students. For children to learn, they must have a
purpose for it and enjoy it. Children learn best when they are happy
and feel safe.
I feel obligated to find the most creative and exciting ways to increase
their language, reading, and writing skills. It is a joy to watch
children engaging in activities that so enthrall them that they are
unaware that learning is taking place. I have confidence in my students.
I believe in them and therefore, they too believe in themselves.
Children need encouragement. We(including me) have fun learning.
We sing songs, play fun learning games, read lots of great books,
write creative stories, have discussions, as well as use the regular
learning tools. My goal as a teacher is to make a positive difference
in the life of each child that enters my classroom and for them to all
develop a love of Reading. My students are my legacy.
I believe teaching is the most rewarding job anyone could have.
and I am the ESL(English as a Second Language) teacher here at
Rutland. This is my 3rd year in Wilson County. Previously,
I’ve taught ESL in many other locations, but spent most of my
teaching career in Los Angeles, California.. I love to travel and learn
about different cultures.
I also love reading and spending time with my family and my dog.
I am an animal lover. I have been teaching for 22 years,
but I am still just as excited as I was my first year of teaching.
I love and respect all of my students. I spend my day doing something
that I truly love. I wear a bracelet that says “do what you love and
love what you do” and I get to do that.. I offer my time and that
little extra jolt of confidence that I give when I acknowledge
their thoughts and feelings.
They give me back 10-
and their seeking questions lift my spirits. We have mutual
relationship built on trust and giving. I let them know that I am human,
but that my room and heart are always open to them. I give my attention
and devotion to my students. For children to learn, they must have a
purpose for it and enjoy it. Children learn best when they are happy
and feel safe.
I feel obligated to find the most creative and exciting ways to increase
their language, reading, and writing skills. It is a joy to watch
children engaging in activities that so enthrall them that they are
unaware that learning is taking place. I have confidence in my students.
I believe in them and therefore, they too believe in themselves.
Children need encouragement. We(including me) have fun learning.
We sing songs, play fun learning games, read lots of great books,
write creative stories, have discussions, as well as use the regular
learning tools. My goal as a teacher is to make a positive difference
in the life of each child that enters my classroom and for them to all
develop a love of Reading. My students are my legacy.
I believe teaching is the most rewarding job anyone could have.
I love it!
