Golden Apple Award: Ayanna Esdaile, Orchard Knob Middle School
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – Parents describe Ayanna Esdaile as dedicated, determined and dependable. Her Science class at Orchard Knob Middle is challenging, but with healthy dose of fun blended in. Let’s take a closer look in tonight’s Golden Apple Award.
Dr. Amara Alexander is the Principal at Orchard Knob Middle .
She says, “Miss Esdaile has been here um for about four years. She is a dynamic science teacher. To her classroom, students are always engaged whether it’s a hands-on activity, whether it is an interactive game, Miss Esdaile really does know how to connect with kids and make the learning come alive.”
When asked to describe herself, Ms. Esdaile says, “I’m a teacher here at Orchard knob. I’m also the assistant cheer coach here at Orchard knob. I am a sister. I’m a daughter. I’m just a regular person. After I graduated college, I found out about the, ‘Grow Your Own Program’. So, I got into it and just as something to like. I, I’ve always liked kids. So, it was just something to see if I liked it. And I fell in love with it.”
He students say: “She’s the best size teacher I ever had. Like she taught me everything.”
“She don’t do too much like other teachers. And she she’s nice.”
“She helps us a lot in our work. And um she takes her time writing.”
“She helped us with our work without no problems.”
Dr. Alexander adds, “She’s able to build true relationships with kids. And I think that’s what makes her a dynamic teacher. And being able to bring the content to life, as kids get ready to talk about um elements. that’s kind of an abstract content. So, she’s able to make it relatable so that kids understand the elements of the periodic table.”
Ms. Esdaile concludes, “I’ve always loved science. I’s always been my favorite subject. I think it’s something fun and especially our black and brown kids sometimes they don’t see science as a viable option for them. So, like to make them want to learn science and spark that joy in them for science. I like middle school kids. This is my favorite age when I was growing up. So, I just like their personalities. I think our personalities mesh well. I think it helps that I’m young, but I make an effort to like, I go to their games. And I talk to them. Sometimes we go to the seventh- grade team. Sometimes we’ll sit in the cafeteria with them. And I think that helps especially now this year with me helping, which here, I think that’s helpful I want them to remember how much I cared about them and how much I believed in their ability to succeed.”
