Mill Creek selects Ballard as Teacher of the Year

MADISON – Celynn Ballard, Teacher of the Year at Mill Creek Elementary School, validates the saying, “If I can reach them, I can teach them.”

“I’ve learned that those kids who trust me and believe what I see in them will exceed my expectations,” Ballard said. “My classroom is seldom quiet. I believe children learn through discussion, movement and collaboration. My ability to build relationships with students and their families is just as important, if not more, than instruction.”

Currently a second-grade teacher, Ballard also has taught kindergarten, first and fifth grades. She first taught at West Madison Elementary School, then Madison and Rainbow elementaries and five years at Mill Creek.

In recent years, she was first-grade representative on the system-wide committee for standards-based report cards. This year, she represented Mill Creek on the Educator Effectiveness Team, which collaborated to define a new evaluation model for ‘the MCS teacher.’

In her classroom, Ballard emphases trust and community. Her students can take risks without fear of making mistakes. “Mistakes often open the door for critical thinking, discussion and new learning opportunities,” she said.

“My kids and I often solve classroom problems together. Even young children can be amazing and insightful when brainstorming solutions,” Ballard said.

One question that always has driven her philosophy is, “What is best for the child?” “Each child comes with a unique personality and needs. It’s easy to get caught up in the latest trends or our data-driven culture, but it’s the whole child that deserves my focus — not just the latest test score,” Ballard said.

She focuses on each child’s strengths and integrates opportunities for daily success. “Success builds confidence and motivation,” she said.

Ballard’s students laugh, sing and dance daily. “School has changed so much since I first started teaching. It has become far more stressful. Kids are expected to master more and more concepts at an earlier age,” she said.

“Kids need to be silly. Laughter plays such an important role in bonding and social interaction,” Ballard said. “I want my kids to know that having a sense of humor makes you enjoyable to be around. Of course, I participate in the silliness, too. It helps all of us keep things in perspective.”

Early in her career, Ballard worked with many foster children. “I’ll never forget one precious, little girl who opened my eyes and heart to struggles that young children may endure. She was taken out of her home because she was found emaciated and rummaging through trash for her next meal.”

The girl often stole food in the classroom, despite Ballard’s efforts to supply extra snacks. “She had been in survival mode for so long and that was all she knew,” Ballard said.

At this time, Ballard saw herself as more than just a ‘teacher.’ “I realized the incredible power and opportunity I had to shape how students felt about themselves, others and the world. Children bring so many hidden problems to school every day. My just showing up with great lessons would never be enough.”

Ballard earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Montevallo and a master’s degree at the University of North Alabama.

A Huntsville native, she moved to Madison in 1993 “to join the community that I worked in.” Her husband Tom works as an electrical engineer at ADTRAN. Their children are Thomas, a Bob Jones High School freshman, and Kate, a Discovery Middle School eighth-grader.

“My children are involved in sports, so I love hanging out at their games. I also love spending time at the lake with family and friends. During summer, I enjoy having more time to read,” she said.