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Notes from the Teacher’s Desk: Nakia White, East Garner Elementary School

By Sharron Gibson
Citizen Journalist

Nakia White, like so many teachers, has always known she was born to teach.

Nakia White teaches her 7-year-old son, William White, in her class at East Garner Elementary School. SHARRON GIBSON, GCNT

“I grew up playing teacher,” she said. “I got to school, and I loved school. I played teacher all my life.”

White even made promises to herself at an early age about how she would treat her students. “The thing that I remember the most is having my feelings hurt by a teacher,” she said. “[So] I said, ‘Well, all my other teachers aren’t like that, and I know that when I become a teacher, I’m not going to be that way.’”

White grew up in Reform, Ala., and attended Alabama A&M University. As a freshman at A&M, she met William White, now her husband of eight years. They have a 3-year-old daughter, Shanel, and a 7-year-old son, William “Trey” III. White is also an active member of St. Matthew’s Baptist Church in Raleigh, where she enjoys helping with the nursery, Vacation Bible School and step team.

During her first year of teaching at East Clayton Elementary School, White was fortunate enough to have an excellent mentoring teacher who guided her through that first challenging year. Because of her experience there, White is now in training to become a mentor for other young teachers.

“I want to give back. I want to at least try to give someone else that same experience that I had.”

White has been teaching in Wake County since 2000, first at Wilburn Elementary School then at East Garner Elementary School since its opening in 2007.

At a friend’s urging, White took a four-month sabbatical from teaching to try a more lucrative career. But while she says the money was great, she missed the classroom, the students – and the hugs from students.

White describes herself as passionate about teaching. “I want the students to enjoy what they’re doing as they’re learning,” she said. “But I’m very structured in that I’m a disciplinarian. I firmly believe that not a lot of learning can go on if there is not some type of discipline in place.

“But I’m passionate in that if they don’t get it right away, I am always doing something, making some kind of manipulative to get them to learn it. Whatever it takes.”

White’s exuberance for teaching is evident in the appearance of her classroom as well as in the enthusiasm in her voice when she talks about her students. Her classroom is a colorful and print-rich environment that surely appeals to her young first graders.

White has a unique opportunity for student opinions this school year: Because of year-round scheduling at East Garner Elementary, her son William is a student in her class. While many teachers might find this awkward, White loves the situation.

Mom and son have worked out ways to keep home and school separated. William is called by his given name at school, but at home he goes by Trey.

“I love it,” White said. “I know what he’s getting and what he needs the most help with. I know a lot of teachers don’t know how I do it, but it works.”

In addition to teaching first grade, White is on the Positive Behavior Support team at East Garner Elementary. She also coaches the step team for third through fifth grade students. She sees the step team as a way to motivate students to do their best both in and out of the classroom.

White gives the impression that teaching does not feel like work to her, but it’s more like a part of her. Perhaps this enthusiasm, coupled with her dedication to the students, influenced her peers in voting her Teacher of the Year for East Garner Elementary this school year.

“I love what I do,” she said. “My mom always said, ‘You’ve got straight A’s; you can do anything you want to do.’ This is it.”

Related articles:

• Notes from the Teacher’s Desk: Betty Meikle, East Garner Magnet Middle School

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