BEDFORD– Carrie Owens-Montgomery is a 12-year teaching veteran who has spent the last 4 years teaching 5th grade at Lincoln Elementary. Her favorite part of the job? “The lightbulb moments”, she said, when a student grasps a lesson or concept for the first time is “the most rewarding part of teaching”.
A graduate of BNL and Asbury University in Kentucky, Owens-Montgomery has taught at Needmore, Parkview, and Lincoln Elementary schools. She enjoys teaching math most because “it was the subject that challenged me most in school, so I want to help kids with similar situations.”
While many people dislike rainy days, Mrs. Owens-Montgomery takes full advantage of the relaxed vibe by playing music and observing “coffee house rules”, which means quiet time to read and work on artistic projects.
After 12 years of teaching, Owens-Montgomery has tried and true methods she uses to connect with her students. “Kids like to interact with one another. Anything that can get them laughing always has a good response. Friendly competition is another thing the students love.”
Whether teaching a challenging lesson or an art and music-filled rainy day, it seems this veteran teacher has her class covered. After speaking about how the classroom differs from a generation ago, Mrs. Owens-Montgomery has figured out ways to connect with more “informed” students.”Kids are more tech-savvy, and much more relaxed,” she said. The ‘coffee house rules’ seem a welcome foul weather treat.
When asked to sum up teaching in a single word, Mrs. Owens-Montgomery responded: “Adventure.”
Thanks to Mrs. Owens-Montgomery for taking the time to sit and speak with us.
