COLUMBIA, S.C. — Grab your dumbbell and medicine ball because it's time to work those muscles with our next News19 Teacher of the Week.
At Little Love Christian Academy, there is a lot of love in Ms. Krystal Foxworth's 4K classroom.
"We go outside and get flowers for her. Because we love her," says Tarik Dantzler, a student in Ms. Krystal's class.
"Her hair is pretty. And she's talking better because her voice was a little bit funny. So now she feels better," says Sa'Mira Goodwin, a student in Ms. Krystal's class.
The surprise also showed how much she is loved by her students and fellow faculty. They had balloons for her and even made her a banner to proudly hang outside the school building.
"I've always enjoyed working with children. Always babysitting little cousins and things like that. So, it's always just been something that I wanted to do. So, when thinking about a career, it was like, okay, what do I love doing and it was a no brainer," says Ms. Krystal.
Before becoming an educator, Ms. Krystal worked for the nonprofit "City Year" in Columbia, where students build on their strengths, take risks in their learning and feel connected to their school community.
"We were teaching children about the dangers of drugs and things like that. So that's when the light bulb went off. I went to City Year before I graduated from Midlands Tech. I went to City Year right after high school. And I did that for two years. And then I went to school shortly after that," says Ms. Krystal.
Soon she found her passion for early education.
"When you're able to teach them younger, it makes it so much easier to have that guidance and for them to transition, as well. So that's why I'm here at the beginning," says Ms. Krystal.
In 2017, Little Love Christian Academy opened and Ms. Krystal has been there ever since.
"If you know that elementary school teacher, you know, that's something that you never forget. So, I wanted them to, when they think of that teacher, to think of me. Remember and carry on what is taught to them," says Ms. Krystal.
"She is the best teacher," says Tarik.
"I would tell her I love her," says Sa'Mira.
"I'm still in shock. This is one of the best days. This makes it all worth coming here every day. It's amazingly worth it. They make it worth it, this job is so worth it," says Ms. Krystal.
If you know a teacher like Ms. Krystal 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.