Christian’s Blessings: How challenges turned to blessings that she brings to her students and school

Meet CHRISTIAN WATKINS,
Class of 2023

In a span of just two years in Memphis, Christian's life has been a testament to the profound impact of Memphis Teacher Residency. From overcoming challenges to finding a supportive community, Christian's journey reflects the blessings that MTR has brought into her life, and how she brings those to her students.

Christian's love for Memphis began in 2022, and is deeply rooted in its diversity, describing it as a "big melting pot" that allows her to connect with people from all over the country and world. Among the numerous blessings she cherishes, MTR, its people, and her students stand out prominently.

For Christian, MTR was a gift during a challenging time of her post-grad life. She knew her passion was teaching, but was faced with the difficulties of becoming licensed. Because of the support and training promised, Christian felt a calling to join MTR. The values of love and support, partnered with her deep resonation with MTR’s mission statement, is what gave her the encouragement she needed to pursue her passion for teaching. She fell in love with her students immediately and knew she was where she was supposed to be.

The most rewarding aspect of Christian's journey with MTR is the sense of belonging to a large - yet close - and supportive community. The camaraderie among MTR teachers, sharing similar teaching philosophies, makes her feel like part of a big family. Coming from a small liberal arts school, Christian cherishes this “family-like” experience that she feels. When referencing that community, she named Megan Salemi (MTR Director of Education) and Michael Sherrill (her residency mentor teacher) as pivotal figures in her teaching career. Megan gathered resources for Christian to be able to succeed, and Michael’s “deep love and respect for students and staff” left a lasting impression on Christian.

This lasting impression has carried over into her relationships with her students. Now in her first year of teaching post-residency, she is able to see the fruits of her labor with her students. Her dedication to learning from her mentors is now paying off. Her students come to school excited to learn from Miss Watkins each day - and their academics are reflective of that.

In Christian's words, "MTR has been a blessing to me."

Her success story is not just one of professional growth but also a narrative of finding a supportive community, overcoming challenges, and discovering a deep sense of purpose in teaching. MTR's unwavering commitment to its mission continues to shine through the success stories of educators like Christian, who embodies hope and growth for aspiring teachers.

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