Thomas County Middle School (TCMS) recently named Lindsay Thompson, eighth grade math teacher, as its 2015-2016 Teacher of the Year. Thompson has taught at TCMS for 10 years and currently teaches accelerated and gifted students through the county’s MERIT program.
“Lindsay Thompson is an outstanding math teacher and also a wonderful role model for our students,” said Thomas County Middle School Principal Dr. Kathy Keown. “She holds her students and herself to a high standard in the classroom. Mrs. Thompson has served as a leader in our math department and a leader in the use of instructional technology among our faculty. She is not just an outstanding teacher, but Mrs. Thompson is also very personable, always with a ready smile each day for her students. You can tell when you are around Mrs. Thompson or in her classroom that she loves teaching and she loves her students.”
After Thompson graduated from Valdosta State University in 2002 with a BBA in Management, she worked at Bank of America as a personal banker. During her two-year employment at a bank, she was surprised by the number of adults who couldn’t balance their checkbooks. She decided she wanted to teach children and help break the cycle of adults not knowing basic math skills.
She moved back to Valdosta and began the ACT Program at VSU in 2005 to get her certification in math and her master’s degree in Middle Grades Education. In 2006, Thompson moved back to Thomasville and began teaching eighth grade math at Thomas County Middle School.
Thompson attributes her success in teaching to the “awesome teachers who I have taught with over the years and those who have mentored me.”
“I was so excited and nervous when I started teaching,” Thompson said. “I had zero experience in the classroom, but I had great mentors who encouraged me and supported me. That first year was tough, but I persevered and have learned so much.”
Thompson beams when she talks about teaching and the opportunity to help students.
“I believe that all students can learn and be successful,” said Thompson. “All students do not learn in the same way or at the same pace. I strive to accommodate students to help them find success. It is a great feeling to know that I helped a student learn and did not give up on him or her.”
In 2012, Thompson earned her Educational Specialist degree in Instructional Technology from Valdosta State University. She said that she enjoys new technologies in her classroom and sharing with others.
Thompson said, “It is rewarding to use the skills I learned at VSU in my classroom to benefit my students. I record every lesson and post it to my website. Not only does it help students who are home sick to stay up-to-date, but also assists parents and struggling students who can watch videos for extra help and pause it while they try to work out the problem. This SMART technology has really been a game changer for my classroom.”
Thompson also serves as a member of the Technology Committee at TCMS presenting at the system’s Techno Expo for the past few years. At the workshops, she demonstrates to teachers how to record lessons and post them to their websites and how to use technology in their classrooms.
“The experience of facilitating a workshop is exciting,” Thompson said. “I really enjoy sharing my tips, and the teachers ask excellent questions. It is rewarding to share my personal best practices and get positive feedback from teachers who have tried it with great results.”
When asked what advice she would share with young teachers, Thompson said,”I would urge new teachers to find a mentor and keep an open mind to feedback. We always have skills that can be improved, and there is a lot to learn from others. I want to encourage anyone considering a teaching career to go for it. Our profession needs new and excited teachers who love students and want to make a difference.”