(Editor’s note: The Augusta Press will feature each of the five finalists for Richmond County’s Teacher of the Year. The winner will be announced at a Sept. 28 banquet.)
For kindergarten teacher and 2023 Teacher of the Year finalist, Sanqual Sampson, teaching is all about relationship building and creating hands-on learning opportunities to harbor a foundational love for young academics.
Sampson, who has worked in Richmond County for 11 years, currently teaches at Jenkins-White Elementary School, and graduated from the Academy of Richmond County High School in 2007.
“This is the foundation of so many things,” she said. “They’re writing. They’re learning technology.”
Sampson holds a Bachelor of Arts in child and family development from Benedict College, and later earned a Master of Education in early childhood development, as well as an education specialist degree in curriculum development from Nova Southeastern University.
“My first priority is to build relationships with my students and just to make school and learning fun, energetic and exciting for them,” she said. “You just have to find out what the students like.”
Taking into mind many different personalities, Sampson said she keeps her class engaged by molding the curriculum and learning objectives around students’ varied interests, including favorite colors and TV shows.
“I try to make it fun for my students, based upon their level,” she said. “At times, it’s challenging, but I want them to know that school is a fun and safe place.”
A mother, Sampson said she was raised to value education and wants to teach her students and children the same principles.
“I hope I model positivity to explore, because everyone nowadays wants to just sit down and listen to teachers, but my students are up and walking around and looking at the alphabet,” she said.
With students asking questions about real life examples, such as why Chick-fil-A ends with a capital “A” instead of lowercase one, since it appears at the end of a word, Sampson believes children should be taught to observe, analyze and question the world around them.
“I just want them to know that learning is truly all around us,” she said.
Wanting to reassure parents of their child’s future and security while at school, Sampson said she often reminds families of her unwavering support.
“I always say, ‘Your child is in safe hands, I promise,’” she said. “I’ve been telling my parents that every year … I want the best for them and I treat them like they’re my own kid.”
Having experience with an unsupportive teacher when she was a third grader, Sampson said she understands and prioritizes making all her students feel valued and capable.
“I had a teacher tell me that I wasn’t smart like the other kids because I wasn’t reading on the same level,” she said. “I don’t ever want my kids to feel they’re not in a great place and a loving environment.”
Although kindergarteners can often have behavioral problems, which can result in long, hard work days, Sampson said she values forgiveness and allowing her students to start fresh everyday.
“I leave whatever happened the day before with a student, and I don’t bring it back with me the next day, because every day is a new day and we’re not promised tomorrow,” she said. “You don’t know what that child went through the day before.”
When it comes to particularly willful children, Sampson said she especially gains encouragement when she is able to propel a student forward despite initial difficulties in the relationship.
“We had a student, where this was his first year in a school setting, … he wouldn’t sit down,” she said. “By the second week of school, I was able to instill in him skills, like sitting down, listening, being respectful and what’s nice and not nice.”
Not able to write any letters as well, Sampson said the student is now writing four letters of the alphabet consistently within a short amount of learning time.
“I’m just so proud of him and it made me feel like I was actually doing something,” she said. “It’s just so encouraging and positive. It really makes me feel like I found my purpose.”
After such a recent student success, Sampson was shocked to find out she not only won Teacher of the Year at Jenkins-White Elementary School, but has also been chosen as a final candidate for the county’s Teacher of the Year award.
“It was so surreal. I still don’t believe it. I cried myself to sleep that night, because I was so happy,” she said. “I’m ecstatic and I’m just so grateful for the opportunity. I never would’ve believed I would make it to such a high level. This is such a huge honor.”
If chosen to represent the county as the official Teacher of the Year, Sampson said she would spend the time advocating for more instructor support and training.
“I want to focus more on professional learning for teachers. Have the district talk to the teachers, not just the principals, about what their school needs or how people need support,” she said. “I just want teachers to know that we do have a voice and we do mean something to the county and the students, because we are the key to the puzzle.”
The Richmond County Teacher of the Year will be announced at a banquet on Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center starting at 7 p.m.
