Dual Certification in Elementary Education and Learning and Behavior DisordersEmotional Behavior Disorder Self-Contained Classroom Teacher, Kanawha County Schools, W. Va.
Abby Jeffrey ’20, who majored in Elementary Education and Learning and Behavior Disorders, is an Emotional Behavior Disorder Classroom Teacher for Kanawha County Schools in West Virginia.
A fourth generation Asburian, Jeffrey enjoyed playing basketball while pursuing her degree in Education. Her experience on the court provided an additional opportunity for her to invest in students, coaching the girls high school basketball team.
“I chose teaching because I wanted to help kids become the best version of themselves,” said Jeffrey. “I fell in love specifically with teaching emotional behavior students because of the teachings of Asbury’s School of Education, as well as a placement at Red Oak Elementary my junior year.”
In a self-contained classroom, she works with her students with the goal of transferring them back fully into the general education classroom. Her students are emotionally and behaviorally unable to function in a normal classroom and it’s a challenge that Jeffrey enjoys.
“Their achievements bring me so much joy,” said Jeffrey. “When s student moves from flipping desks and punching to completing his work before I even ask makes me smile bigger than ever. I form relationships with each student, and when I see them get it, my heart does flips. For my students, it’s not just excelling academically, but rather it’s excelling at becoming functional, kind, loving, honest human beings. I love what I do!”
While this is a challenging job, she is learning that she can’t change the world all at once and that God is faithful.
“God will use the smallest things in our lives to change the world, as long as we are willing to be faithful to the small tasks He has given us,” said the young alum.
“My Asbury Education prepared me for my field work. It prepared me to be a teacher at the top level. However, it has also taught me a whole lot more. Asbury has taught me how to be a successful adult. They have taught me the values of being a leader, the power of my faith, and that my success story is never truly mine, but rather Christ’s. Every single bit I have taken away from Asbury shows up in my classroom. Whether it be the bulletin board I created, the test I designed, or the way I address a conversation in my classroom. Asbury has prepared me to be a successful teacher.”
Her advice?
“Enjoy this! Live each day, even the hard ones, to its fullest. God loves you no matter what. The smallest thing that you do, He can use to change the world. Be faithful and don’t waste your days away.” Romans 8:28