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‘Teacher of the Month’ follows in her mom’s teaching footsteps

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Fourth grade teacher Elna Go, of Red Rock Elementary School, knew her calling to become a teacher at a young age because she watched her mother teach first graders at the same public school she was attending.

Go, nominated for this month’s Camille’s Sidewalk Café, “Teacher of the Month,” describes her mom as being dedicated and sincere as a teacher. She calls her a role model. And she admires her mom the most for helping her students by feeding and clothing them.

With her mom always on her mind, Go is embarking on a similar journey. Originally from a southern island in the Philippines, called Mindanao, Go and her family arrived in the United States in 2004 and resided in Chicago. In Chicago, she taught preschool for almost 11 years at a private school.

Eventually she decided to move into a public school setting and she maintained her license to teach K-12 grades. In all, Go has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration.

This school year will be her first time teaching in a public school, and so far, she loves teaching the fourth grade.

“I want my kids to be on top,” she said. “I am trying my best to teach them the right way. When I see that they understand the lesson that I am trying to present to them, that is the best rewarding part.”

What she also finds rewarding as a teacher is the love and respect that is felt by her students.

“I am able impart my knowledge and I am able to mold the children to proper behavior, proper guidance so that they can grow someday into somebody who is successful,” she said.

As for the Gallup area, she says that the area is not as busy as Chicago, but the people, especially her co-teachers, are “absolutely awesome.”

She once heard through the grapevine that teaching fourth grade was not easy; however, she finds it an easy grade to instruct. She believes that the students are at a stage where they understand what you are trying to teach them. One of the major lessons that she tries to teach is good behavior.

“Behavior is number one. I told them, no matter how smart you are, if your behavior is poor it will pull you down,” she said.

She talked about the usefulness of technology and how it makes education easier for her students as compared to her mom’s students, but she stresses that proper guidance is needed, especially when they are home.

“With that, we have to be very careful, also, because if you let them do that all the time, it will not be used in the right way,” she said.

One of her most memorable moments as a teacher at Red Rock Elementary School, was the day her students did not recognize her because she wore jeans to school for casual Friday.

“I was standing here and the kids came in and said, ‘Who is that?’” she said. “One student did not recognize me! Then, I turned around and he said, ‘Good morning, Mrs. Go!’ and I said, ‘Good morning!’ and he said, ‘Mrs. Go, I did not recognize you because you always look fancy every day.’ I said, ‘Oh, thank you!’”

As a creative outlet, she enjoys making jewelry. Usually, she dons the very jewelry she creates. She enjoys dressing up and hosting functions, such as weddings, and being in the public eye.

She shares that the best advice she ever received is to be sincere, dedicated, and flexible with all of the work that you do.

This December she plans on taking a trip back home to the Philippines to see her oldest son and her three grandchildren. Since starting her career at Red Rock Elementary last August, she has not had much time to explore, what she calls, the “Land of Enchantment,” but it’s something she plans to do with her family.

“Although Mrs. Go is new to Red Rock Elementary, she is an exceptional fourth grade teacher. The students enjoy being in her class and her curriculum is of high rigor,” Sharmyn Munoz, principal of Red Rock Elementary School said.

Every month, Camille’s Sidewalk Café will announce the “Teacher of the Month” and this upcoming summer, look for the announcement of “Teacher of the Year.” To nominate your teacher, fill out an entry form at Camille’s Sidewalk Café, 306 S. Second St. in Gallup.