Shannon Roberson
Teacher, Harmony Academy of Music and the Arts
Shannon Roberson has been in the education field for over 30 years and is currently a teacher at the Harmony Academy of Music and the Arts, an elementary school within the Texarkana Arkansas Independent School District. At Harmony, the staff aims to nurture an appreciation for the art and science of artistic appreciation. The school boasts a fully functional gymnasium, an arts classroom, a computer science and robotics classroom, and, in addition, a complete orchestra practice area with multiple private practice rooms and a professionally equipped stage for student performances. Shannon shares her love for the people at Harmony. “The staff and administration are very supportive and encouraging. Most importantly, students’ success is the top priority at Harmony,” Shannon says.
Teaching children is always something Shannon wanted to do. “As long as I can remember, from the time I taught or played school with my baby dolls, I have wanted to teach. My drive for teaching stems from wanting to see kids take pride in themselves for accomplishing something they thought they couldn’t do. I want to instill in children that it doesn’t matter what your circumstances are, you can do and be anything you want to be,” Shannon says. “My interest in becoming an educator was piqued by a paraprofessional named Ms. Kelly. She was always encouraging, supporting, and loving her students. She made me believe I could do anything if I tried.”
When growing up, education was very important to Shannon. She was always told that with an education, you could do or become anything you wanted to be. “School was one of my favorite places to go. One of my favorite memories occurred in third grade. We had been studying different cultures and traditions, and my class performed a maypole demonstration to the entire school,” Shannon says. A maypole demonstration, also known as a maypole dance, is a traditional folk dance often performed at springtime festivals, particularly around May Day. It involves dancers weaving ribbons around a tall pole, creating intricate patterns as they move in a circle.
After high school, Shannon earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from East Texas University, now Texas A&M University-Texarkana, and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction. She is certified as an English as a Second Language teacher and most recently completed certification as a National Institute for Excellence in Teaching Arkansas Lead Professional Educator. Even with all the education and certifications Shannon possesses, her professional goal is to improve as an educator every school year.
Her teaching style is more of a teaching model. Shannon explains, “I like the model of Gradual Release of Responsibility as I teach. This model is I do, we do, and you do. This model is so very important, you always want to model, then let students do independently or in collaborative groups, and then do independently.” To create a positive and inclusive classroom environment, Shannon takes the time to get to know her students, understanding what they need to be successful, and ensures the learning environment is respectful and supportive for all students.
Shannon takes pride in teaching diverse learners. “One way to tailor learning for all kinds of students is by giving assignments that vary in difficulty. For example, in my class, I might distribute various reading materials or tasks tailored to each student’s level of readiness. Those who are doing really well may be assigned more complex texts or projects with no clear answers, while students who need a little help might be given simpler tasks or work through guided activities. This way, I can make sure everyone is challenged just right, keeping things fair and meeting the different needs of the kids,” Shannon says.
Shannon believes that parents and the community can actively support educators by being actively involved in schools. Volunteering at school functions, attending parent-teacher meetings, and getting to know the teachers are great examples of participation and ways to be helpful.
Did you know this about Shannon?
Her students would be surprised to find out that Shannon enjoys gardening, riding four-wheelers, and knitting.
Shannon spent her summer break with her family, especially her granddaughter, crafting and creating memories.
Shannon always looks forward to the upcoming school year because she gets to meet new students and see how much her students have grown from the previous year.
One of her favorite traditions on the First Day of School is taking a “first day” picture and later comparing it to the one taken at the end of the year.
Shannon believes technology can enhance lesson delivery and personalize students’ learning, but it can also be a distraction. If not used correctly, teachers may spend more time managing technology, which could take away from actual learning.
There are many quotes that Shannon lives by, but the one that resonates with her the most is from the late Rosa Parks: “We will fail when we fail to try.”