WTOC Top Teacher: Beth McCall

ODUM, Ga. (WTOC) - Beth McCall wants her students to leave her class feeling successful, challenged and ready to learn on their own.

McCall, a gifted education teacher at Odum Elementary School, has taught there since 1994. During the school’s camouflage day for homecoming week, WTOC found McCall — and this week’s Top Teacher — among the spirit-day disguises.

“I hope that they find my class fun and challenging and interesting, inspiring for them to grow and become independent learners themselves,” McCall said.

She plans lessons around what students want to learn and works those interests into the standards.

“I do love learning right along with the children,” she said. “I plan our units and activities around their interests and what they want to learn.”

For student Kadence Brigman, McCall is a favorite.

“She is really nice, and she’s my favorite teacher in this whole school,” Brigman said.

Debbie Flowers, Brigman’s grandmother, said the student looks forward to class. Flowers recalled asking Brigman what her favorite part of school was each day.

“She would always say, ‘Ms. Beth,’” Flowers said.

McCall said she often asks students what makes them feel successful. She wants them to recognize when they’ve worked through a challenge and mastered it.

“I want them to feel that for themselves — that I can do it,” she said.