It is with great pride that Deer Creek School recognizes Christy McCracken as the Teacher Who Makes a Difference for the 2017-18 school year. Mrs. McCracken is a 4th grade teacher, County ELA Coach, and Curriculum Assessment Lead for the 4th grade team. She has confidence in her skills and knows how to improve student learning through data driven decisions. Mrs. McCracken is a hard-working, skilled teacher, and a team player.
Although she is firm and has high expectations, students love attending her class. She cares for each student and makes sure they get the attention they need. Using data, she tracks, evaluates, and examines multiple sources of information to determine any shifts needed in a student’s program or her instruction. Drawing from her years of experience, she plans thoughtful, differentiated lessons that engage students in high- level thinking. Expectations are clear, the classroom is organized, lessons are creative, and students strive to reach their potential. Her classroom, although very focused on learning, is fun. Mrs. McCracken quickly establishes positive relationships with each student and the mutual respect is clearly evident. She holds students to high standards and prepares them for future success. Every lesson and activity serves a specific, targeted purpose.
Her students say she is strict but in a good way. They agree that she is, “Awesome in the way she explains math.” They love how she lets them use manipulatives and work together to better understand the concepts she is teaching. Several students commented that, “She finds other ways to explain things and breaks things apart. She doesn’t care if you get the right answer, except on tests, just as long as you try.”
We are extremely thankful to have such a talented teacher as part of our team. Thank you, Christy, for all you do!!!