As teachers go, Danielle Cunningham is one apple who didn’t fall fall far from the tree.
She grew up in Covington, attending Kent School District schools (including Mattson Junior High and Kentwood High, where one of her classmates was her future husband, Bryan Cunningham). And after attending Central Washington University, she returned to the district as a fourth-grade teacher at Carriage Crest Elementary, where she’s been on the faculty for nine years.
Cunningham recently received National Board certification – a year-long process that requires teachers to document their successes in the classroom and pass muster with a national panel of their peers.
Taking time late last year from her busy life (besides teaching, she and her husband were awaiting the birth of their first child), Cunningham talked to the Reporter about the challenges and rewards of teaching – and some of her own days as a student.
Reporter: Why did you become a teacher?
Cunningham: I wanted to do something that makes a difference, and I really enjoy working with children. I feel lucky I have a job that I look forward to going to every day.
Reporter: What makes your day?
Cunningham: There are many things I love about my days. I love to hear the excitement in my student’s voices when they share their stories or tell me about a book they’re reading. I love watching them grow and mature into little adults. Sometimes I just sit back and laugh. Kids say and do funny things all day long, and you have to take time to really appreciate them for who they are. I feel sorry for my husband, Bryan. When I come home from work, he has to listen to me rattle on for 20 minutes about all the things my students did during the day.
Reporter: What kind of student were you in elementary school?
Cunningham: Now that I’m a teacher, I often wonder what my former teachers thought of me as a student. I think they would say that I was a hard worker who always did her best. I had to work hard because school didn’t come easy for me. My struggles in school now help me to work with students who struggle. I remind them every day to work hard to achieve their goals.
Reporter: Who was your favorite teacher when you were growing up? And why?
Cunningham: I have a couple teachers that stand out in my mind. Mrs. Foster was my sixth-grade teacher. She stands out because she really took the time to get to know her students. I remember she came over to our house to talk to my parents about me. Mrs. Lopez was my high school geometry teacher. I struggled in her class, and I remember her taking a special interest in seeing me succeed.
Reporter: Any tips on how parents can motivate kids to read?
Cunningham: Let your child pick out a chapter book and take turns reading every night. Make it a part of your routine. Discuss the book. Find out their favorite character or favorite part. Kids love to share their thinking, and they crave being listened to.
