VIDEO: Educator Of The Week, Ashley Thompson Of New Hope Elementary

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Long hours and lots of dedication.

You might just want to say thank you to your favorite teacher.

That’s why WCBI-TV and Food Giant are partnering to recognize and honor local educators.

This week, WCBI’s Ashley Ruiz surprised a second grade classroom, and its teacher.

“Surprised to be recognized, because I do love what I do, and it’s nice to be recognized. I’m very touched and honored. It’s a great way to start the day,” says Educator of the Week Ashley Thompson.

Thompson teaches second grade at New Hope Elementary.

Parents of students in her class nominated her, and New Hope Principal Tammy Aldridge understands why.

“Ashley is the epitome of the perfect teacher. Basically, not only is she good at her craft, she loves kids and she loves being here at the school, which is what we want. You know, our goal is… I told them our motto is to have kids love, learn, laugh, every day,” Aldridge says.

Thompson has been teaching for twelve years, the past nine here at New Hope.

She says her passion for teaching comes from seeing her students succeed.

“I love the students, I love children, and I love working with them, but I love to see them love learning and it thrills my heart when they go, ‘man, I couldn’t wait to come to school today.'”

When her students are excited about learning, it only further motivates her.

“Just seeing them love to learn, you know, they’re so engaged and love to be here. And just to see a kid that might be struggling go, ‘I get it now. Thank you for teaching me that way’ because I did struggle in school st times and I have learned to identify with that child who may not understand how to do things, and so it really gives me a boost when they go, ‘Oh, I get it,'” adds Thompson.

Thompson was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2013.

Principal Aldridge says, “She’s got that Midas touch, you know? I mean, she can take a child who doesn’t want to be here and make them want to come back the next day, and be eager to learn and do what she wants them to do.”

If you would like to nominate a teacher you know to be our next Educator of the Week, you can do it on our website here.