By Krista Hinton
Fred Rogers stated that, “The best teacher in the world is someone who loves what he or she
does, and just loves it in front of you.”
Early in my teaching career, I often wondered what made the difference between those who
“love” to teach and those that simply “show up” to teach. Now, after 18 years in the field of
education, I have come to realize that the difference is in the attitude of being teachable.
Those few special teachers who made a positive impact on my life were those that accepted their
limitations, acknowledged what they didn’t know, and displayed humility in knowing they had
not “arrived”, but that learning was a life-long process. In being teachable, they demonstrated
that seeking knowledge and loving people go hand-in-hand to create a love of teaching.
Every time I step into my classroom, I experience the immense privilege of learning from my
students. I am encouraged as I watch them share ideas, work together, celebrate successes as
well as failures, and express their hopes for the future. I am saddened by their struggles with
personal insecurities as well as physical and emotional needs. I am strengthened by their resolve
to overcome the challenges of life. Each day is filled with the excitement of a new adventure!
To pour every ounce of energy, expertise, and commitment that I possess into the life of my
students is both exhausting and rewarding. Knowing that at the end of the day I have given
everything I’ve got to enable my students to become successful in small tasks and big challenges
is one of the greatest honors I will ever obtain. That is why I love teaching!
Krista Hinton, M.Ed. is the Gifted Education Program Coordinator, K-12 for the Lavaca Public
School District. She is a 2021-2022 Arkansas State Teachers Association Advocacy Fellow and
has served in the field of education for 18 years. Mrs. Hinton has a strong interest in Project
Based Learning practices and supporting creativity in the Gifted Education setting.
