Congratulations to our latest recipient of the Big Red Apple Award – Alisha Wignall – a Pre-K teacher at Galesburg Christian School. Alisha was nominated by Lauren Murphy, who has a child in Alisha’s class. Here’s a little bit about Alisha:
Where did you grow up? Cambridge, Il
How many years teaching? This is my 7th year at GCS.
Favorite subject growing up? English (thanks to Mrs Dara Carr)
Favorite subject to teach? Bible! I love setting the stage for my students, and allowing them to explore in multiple ways.
Favorite Book? Oh The Places You’ll Go by Dr Seuss and Give and Take by Adam Grant, and Pursuit of Power by our very own local LB Swanson.
Favorite Food? My Mom’s homemade pizza
Least Favorite Food? Beets
Favorite Movie? Forrest Gump
Favorite TV show? American Idol
Favorite Sports Team? CHICAGO CUBS!
What do you like to do in your spare time? We are a big baseball family. We spend a lot of time following my son and niece to weekend tournaments, and practice. Now my 5 year old is following their path, as she soon begins her 2nd year of t-ball.
Something about you that people may not know: I’m currently working on a project with educators around the world called The Kindergarten Masterclass. Our goal is to bring the hero/genius in every child, through imagination and play. It’s been a super cool experience, and I can’t wait to bring it to our community!
Here’s what Lauren had to say about Alisha:
What sets this teacher apart from others?
Miss Alisha really goes above and beyond what someone could ask for in a teacher. Our daughter Charli has excelled and progressed so much through the school year. The love and devotion she pours into teaching is apparent with how excited the kids are to go every day. Teaching is not just a job to Miss Alisha, but a lifestyle and a passion. We are so happy and blessed that she was the teacher she got for the year. (Although all the teachers there are great!!)
Our daughter is the 4th child in our family to have Miss Alisha, and all of her cousins still love and think of her. The teachers for these little ones need to be recognized too, they are who introduce our children to what will be the next the next 14+ years of their lives. And we know that with the love she has shown for her career that our daughter will share that excitement for school and learning for many years to come!
What is one thing this teacher does that is not in their job description but they do it anyway to help you or your child?
Our daughter had a bit of a rough time about a month ago, and the communication even before and after school to coordinate and try to make sure we were all consistent for her was more than we could have ever asked for, that is true commitment and devotion to the betterment of these little people.
Give an example of a way this teacher has helped or impacted you or your child.
Miss Alisha has made me more considerate as a parent. To think of how she has 16 littles that rely on her through a 7 to 8 hour day and to still have the patience with an age group that naturally has highs and lows to always have a smile on her face when we see her is something. I know as a parent I can get frustrated at times with 2 children. Many of times I have considered how she does it with a large group of littles, and how I can practice more patience as a parent like how I can reword things that I say that my daughter may have heard in school from Miss Alisha in good times and bad. I am a firm believer that nobody is too old to learn, however I didn’t even consider the new things I would learn when my children went to school.
As KFM’s Teacher of the Month, Alisha receives the Big Red Apple Award with her name engraved on it along with a $100 gift card and bouquet. Congratulations Alisha Wignall from Galesburg Nissan, Tompkins State Bank, Cooks-n-Company, Lacky Monuments and 105.3 KFM
