BATESBURG-LEESVILLE, S.C. — "Those are her children, and she loves them so much," says Ivey Hatfield, a mental health counselor at Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School.
Hatfield is talking about Claudia Pollard, our next News19 Teacher of the Week. Pollard teaches third grade.
"They're just really awesome. They're still funny. And they still think I'm funny. So, it's fun. They still laugh at my jokes. So, it's good," says Pollard.
"She tells us jokes all the time. And when we're good, she says we're so smart," says Carson McCleskey, a student at Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School.
In only her third year as an educator, Pollard credits everything she learned to one very special teacher in her life.
"She's actually retiring this year. My mom. She's been teaching for 29 years, and she loves it," says Pollard. "You have to have a big heart to be a teacher because it's more than just teaching math and reading. My favorite part is when you get to really learn about their lives and things that they go home to. And you get to be there for them when they need it."
Born in Newberry and a graduate from the University of South Carolina, Pollard didn't want to teach in the same district as her mom.
"I wanted to go somewhere where I felt like I got the job because of me. Just a new place a new experience," says Pollard.
She fell in love with these students at Lexington School District Three.
"You have all different types of children that come from different backgrounds. You have no idea what they go home to. Everyone has bad days at work, but you just have to push it to the back of your mind and be there for your kids," says Pollard.
And her students love her right back.
"Thank you for helping me with all the things I needed to do. And you're the best teacher ever and I love you," says Alayah Hartley, a student at Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School.
"I love you and thank you for helping us on quizzes and all that stuff," says McCleskey.
"She's so deserving. Such a great teacher. And I'm just really excited that you all recognized her. And I think this will give some extra pep in her step," says Hatfield.
Hatfield has been working with Pollard for the past two years. She sees firsthand the impact Pollard has on her students. That's why she nominated her.
"Claudia has a really good way of putting her finger on the pulse of what's going on with her kids to see if there are additional resources they might benefit from. And she never hesitates to reach out and say I have a question. I have a concern. And she truly advocates for the needs of her kids," says Hatfield.
"I feel like sometimes I'm in this little bubble in here and I just hang out with my little best friends all day long. But to see that other people know what I do in here, is really awesome. I really, I really love it," says Pollard.
If you know a teacher like Ms. Pollard who deserves to be recognized for their hard work in the classroom you can nominate them by emailing us at TOW@WLTX.COM. Tell us what that educator is doing every day to go above and beyond in the classroom.