Golden Apple Award: Christine Loveridge, Rivermont Elementary School
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Students learn best when they feel safe and seen. That’s certainly the case in Christine Loveridge’s class at Rivermont Elementary. She meets students where they are, and you can’t argue with the results.
Rivermont Principal Jill Evans says,” Ms. Loveridge is amazing. She makes connections with her students right off the bat and she makes them feel comfortable and feel loved. She provides additional things for them to take home if they need it, but also, she supports them in the classroom. She keeps up with their data and their progress and really motivates the kids to want to do better.”
When asked to describe herself Ms. Loveridge says, “I am a teacher who’s been here for eleven years and I’m a teacher who loves all my kiddos. And once you’re mine, you’re always mine. And so, I’m the teacher that you will often see walking around the hall and hugging kids from the past and kids who are looking forward to me in the future because their siblings had me. I have two kiddos. I have a 14-year-old and then a beautiful 4-year-old that keep me busy and on my toes. And then I have a super great husband who is just the passion behind a lot of the things that we do and is so supportive and will come in and help me grade papers and wipe down tables and anything that I need here in the classroom as well. So, it takes a village to be a teacher. I love the AHA moments. I love watching the kid who struggled so much and who comes in defeated realize that they have the potential and that they can.
4th grader Ellery Bacalman says, “She’s nice and kind and she really looks up to us.”
4th grader Ariel Chisholm says, “I like how sometimes she kind of helps us in math problems. Like when we’re stuck, she always says, you get said, what is this? Times this and then you get your answer. It’s really fun how she helps us.”
4th grader Thor Chatmon says, “What I like about being in Miss Loveridge class that she makes math fun.”
4th grader Chloe Polk says, “She’s really kind and she teaches really cool stuff that I’ve never learned before.”
Amiya Earl adds,” She helps math and then she’s very kind and then she’s very sweet to students.”
Acelyn Orange chips in, “She’s sweet and she helps me learn math and she’s the best teacher and she is sweet.”
Ms. Loveridge concludes, ” Math can be fun, and I work really hard to try to make it a lesson. Intimidating experience for kids. Ultimately, I want kids to remember that they are cared for, that they are more than a number, that they are a person. I want them to know that they are being rooted for and cheered for, and that they are somebody who is believing in them. Even when they leave my four doors, I want them to know that they are cared for.”
