Faculty Friday: Mary Carol (MC) Phillips - Lower School 5th Grade

MC Phillips teaches fifth graders at the Evelyne Sheats Lower School. She holds a M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Piedmont College and has previously taught fifth grade at The Little School in Clarkesville, GA. She and her husband Brian '98, along with their two children Harper '28 and Sam '30, are fixtures in our Rabun Gap community.

Why did you decide to become a teacher? My decision to become a teacher evolved after making my way through college towards a degree in English telling everyone who asked, “Nope. I don’t want to teach.” I think the fact that I come from a long line of teachers is probably the reason I was adamant that I wouldn’t teach, and ultimately exactly why I did, and I’m proud of that fact! It was a job as an assistant teacher in a 3rd - 5th grade classroom where I realized teaching was for me.

 

What is your teaching philosophy? It is my hope as an educator that I will foster an environment, within my classroom or in other places where I have opportunities to influence young people, that seeks to extend an appreciation for knowledge through experiencing, that leads to growth as a person through the education of character, and that offers the potential to go out intothe world with wisdom, purpose, and goodwill.

 

What are the qualities of an excellent teacher? An excellent teacher builds positive relationships with students, shows flexibility and confidence day to day, has a mastery of content, yet isn’t afraid to learn alongside his or her students. An excellent teacher will always be striving to change and grow to be better, but will be satisfied with what’s possible in a day.

 

What is the most difficult aspect of teaching today? It is incredibly difficult not to become overwhelmed with ideas and hopes and thoughts about what could-be within the classroom. Pinterest is a curse and a blessing to us teachers! Making the hundreds of little (and big!) decisions teachers are faced with each day is pretty exhausting.

 

What is the greatest success you have had in teaching? Any time students have told me that a book they read in one of my classes remains their favorite, even years later, it is a great success. It’s the same with any lesson I’ve put energy into- I know it’s a great success when students remember it the following year or down the road.

 

What inspires you? Young people on this campus do, daily, when they surpass the expectations of the adults around them; when they break out of molds and be who they truly are; as they demonstrate unexpected kindnesses and extraordinary talents.

 

What did you want to be when you were young? I went through a chef phase really young, and for a while the kid in me wanted to be a children’s book author. Both remain on my bucket list.

 

What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your resume alone? I spent the fall and winter of 2001 living in the city of Paris on $7 a day! I walked all over the entire city each day going from art classes to markets and people-watching, feeling like I could do anything and be anything. I still have so many fond memories from that time in my life...plus it was the best way to learn a language!

What is one of your weaknesses, and how are you working to improve it? Just one?! Focusing on seeing a task to its completion is probably one that everyone around me on a regular basis could point out. I welcome any and all advice on improving in that.

 

What interests do you pursue outside of the classroom? I love spending time outdoors. I am pursuing completion of the Appalachian Trail by backpacking it piece by piece. I also love cooking and dancing, and I really love to knit (although I’ve been known to bring that last one right on into the classroom to my students from time to time)!

 

Is there anything else you would like to add? Twelve years ago, when my husband and I moved onto this campus, I never could have imagined that we would be here, so much in love with and a part of this community, over a decade later. This year has been especially unique and wonderful given that our own children are now Rabun Gap students!