SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — It's time to get to work in Ms. Leslie Cribb's 5th grade class at Kingsbury Elementary School in Sumter County.
"It's easy for us to understand. It's not hard. And she's a fun teacher," says Mollie Gray Rogers, a student in Ms. Cribb's class.
Ms. Cribb has been teaching in Sumter for 22 years. Sumter is also her hometown.
"She helped us with our work. She goes over the homework," says Aubree Jackson, a student in Ms. Cribb's class.
"As much as I love teaching, it is so draining... You realize how many burdens these kids are carrying. And they kind of become your burdens," says Ms. Cribb. "But the more I pray about it, the more I tend to fall in love with it. And then at the end of the day, when you have kids who conquer their goals, in the teaching world we call it when you see their light bulbs cut on, it really is worth it."
Ms. Cribb started her teaching career at Millwood Elementary where she attended. She taught at Millwood for 13 years. After a quick stint at Pocalla Springs Elementary, she made her way to Kingsbury Elementary where she has been teaching for the past seven years.
"You become a family. You become a cohesive unit during the year. I think all of us teachers thrive on structure. We thrive on structure and it's a good structure. And again, at the end of the day, you have that reward of knowing maybe you've impacted one kid," says Ms. Cribb.
"She's a good teacher. She has helped us a lot. And without her, I don't think we would have the good grades that we have now," says Chamar Benton, a student in Ms. Cribb's class.
Teaching in her hometown is something Ms. Cribb does not take for granted.
"It's home. When you go out and you see your kids and you see their families," says Ms. Cribb. "Whether you're at Walmart, whether you're at McDonald's, you're always known. Hey Ms. Cribb."
The biggest takeaway for her students is the love she shares.
"They may not remember what you told them, but they're always going to remember the way you made them feel. And I hope that they feel loved, and hope they feel appreciated, and that they were valued. And that honestly, at the end of the day, they can conquer anything. You know, we all are given different gifts. And I believe that if they put their mind to it, they can conquer anything," says Ms. Cribb.
If you know a teacher like Ms. Ray 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.