The Gift of Teaching
Dionne Nelson, Kindergarten Teacher at T.R. Simmons Elementary School, is making a difference in the lives of her students.
Words & Image by Justin Hunter
“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” - Matthew 25:40
Dionne Nelson, a kindergarten teacher at T.R. Simmons Elementary School, views being an educator as more than a noble profession but a “God-given gift” she received as a little girl. What began as simply teaching her stuffed animals and Sunday school classes when Nelson got older evolved into a lifelong work of loving children.
“What has brought me to the classroom for the past 32 years is the joy I experience watching my kids grow and seeing the lightbulbs come on in their minds,” says Nelson. “And the lightbulbs typically start turning on right now every year, around Christmas or the first part of January. It’s awesome to see them start to write and read simple sentences.”
For more than three decades, Nelson has used her God-given gift to serve and nurture the multi-generations of students in the Jasper City School District. Thirty of those years, she’s invested in kindergartners. Nelson’s goal with every class is to guide them into becoming lifelong learners and well-rounded human beings.
“I love teaching and creating well-rounded students who aren’t just good at academics but can function in the world. Students who can give their smile to the world, look adults in the eye, be on time, and utilize those basic manners we learned growing up,” says Nelson. “I want my students to be able to do whatever they choose to do when they grow up and be able to do it with a positive attitude and make a difference in the world.”
Born and raised in Jasper, Nelson spent her formative years in the Jasper City Schools and graduated from Walker High School in 1985. She left Walker County for college, attending Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Alabama, and almost didn’t return. When Nelson earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in May 1990, she received a job offer from a school in Florida. But God had a different plan.
“Before I could take a trip to Florida, I received a job offer from West Jasper Elementary School. I took the job because it was going to be in my hometown,” reflected Nelson. “I remember my first class was only 13 students compared to the 21 I have now. I spent 12 years at West Jasper, and we were such a tight family that valued learning.”
Now at T.R. Simmons, Nelson teaches in the same school she attended while growing up. Her love for children and their future manifests in more ways than just teaching them phonics. It means creating an atmosphere for them to learn, which looks like feeding those who come to school hungry and providing a quick nap for those who come in tired. It also means exposing them to the creative arts so they can flourish in all areas of life.
Even outside the traditional classroom, Nelson continues to use her gift of teaching by volunteering as a Sunday school teacher at her local church, Faith Chapel Christian Center, and tutoring at a local nonprofit, Our Village, LLC.
When asked if she plans to retire from public education, Nelson replied, “I’m not sure. I’m praying and listening to God.” 78