Since Angela Rodriguez was a little kid, being in school with her teachers in a good, safe, fun place impacted her life – and her decision to become a teacher.
“I enjoyed learning and reading, so now one of my favorite subjects to teach is reading,” Rodriguez, a Ridgecrest Elementary first grade teacher, said. “I enjoy it and I love it! I love seeing the little light bulbs go off on their faces. I love having fun activities for my students to make learning fun for them.”
She grew up in Lawton with “awesome and amazing teachers,” so being able to come and teach was important to her. She said she enjoys “working with the children, the hugs, the laughter in the classroom, having fun and teaching.”
“I just hope that when they leave my classroom, they leave feeling good about themselves,” Rodriguez said. “I hope they feel like they leave taking something with them whether it be something that they have learned or just being a better person or being kind, loving or caring a little bit more. It is about education and learning, but there are so many other things that are intertwined in that like daily life skills.”
She said what also keeps her going is the staff she has worked with and how supportive everyone’s been to one another.
“I have built a lot of long lasting friendships and relationships with the staff, administrators, and teachers that I’ve worked with,” she said. “I have always felt supported and had the help I needed when I needed it.”