McDowell County Schools

Hear from Renata Crawley about organized chaos and life-long learning at McDowell County Schools.

Meet Renata Crawley

Teacher Ambassador

I have lived in McDowell County since I was four years old and attended public schools here where I received the best education from passionate teachers. Every child is different. Every child’s success is measured differently. In McDowell County, we appreciate and celebrate diversity by offering many paths for students to become successful. Our vision is shared through business and stakeholder partnerships, and community outreach, for students to be educated for college, career, and life.

Teaching

5th Grade Science Teacher

Education

Undergraduate

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Awards

2000- West Marion Elementary Teacher of the Year
2002- National Board Certification
2007- Bright Ideas Grant Recipient
2008, 2009, 2014, 2017- Burroughs Wellcome Student Science Enrichment Grant Recipient to create and sustain after school science clubs
2008-present: Director of Project Wild Thing Afterschool Science Clubs
2011- West Marion Elementary Teacher of the Year
2012- National Board Certification Renewal
2015, 2016, 2017- Duke Energy Science Night Kit Recipient
2016- Awesome Asheville Grant Recipient
2016- Action For Healthy Kids Grant Recipient
2019- Burroughs Wellcome Career Awards for Science and Mathematics Teachers
2019-2015 Facilitator/trainer for North Carolina Inquiry Collaborative Network
2019 McDowell County Teacher of the Year
2020 Smithsonian Science for North And South Carolina Classrooms Trainer
National Board Certification Renewal

Teacher Certification Program

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Why I Teach

I have been a teacher in North Carolina for 29 years. Every day I go into my classroom believing that all students can learn. I set high expectations for every student. Their life has purpose and I make sure students know this on day one when they enter my classroom. I believe students must be engaged in their environment and connect with nature by becoming immersed in the “Doing” of science. My classroom is lively, busy, and sometimes loud. It is organized chaos where microscopes, globes, field guides, butterflies, and bug boxes are common. I have the greatest job in the world. I get to work with ten year old children on a daily basis. I get to see empathy, compassion, perseverance, and struggles play out as my students grow in their learning abilities. I teach because I have the privilege of guiding students in finding their path in their community and in their world where they can give back to others. My focus is to guide children in becoming life-long learners who are compassionate, confident, and driven to set personal goals for success in life.