By DASIA HOOD

In the case of Dr. Alfreda Reynolds, good teachers make good teachers.

Her exposure to kind and nurturing teachers in elementary school planted a love for learning and education in her heart at a young age. Her teachers treated her respectfully and saw her desire to be a good student.

“I’ve never had a teacher I didn’t love,” Reynolds said. “And I’ve never had a teacher with whom I didn’t have a good experience. Teaching was just in me and I love to learn.”

Reynolds, now a 25-year veteran of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and a STEM program coordinator and science department chair at Wilson STEM Academy, is one of ASC’s 2024 Cato Excellence in Teaching Award recipients. The award, which recognizes Charlotte-region educators who demonstrate exceptional creativity in infusing the arts, science, or history into the core curriculum, includes $1,500 and original artwork.

Early Education Experiences

Reynolds remembers being an intelligent student and that led to being placed in advanced classes as one of the only Black students in her class. She had a Black teacher for the first time in third grade and soon discovered that her teacher and mother had been past classmates. Plus, they shared the same birthday.

“That was a game-changer right there,” she said.

Exposure and Understanding

Reynolds wants to expose her students to the possibilities of STEM-related futures. As Dean of STEM at Wilson, she develops and organizes STEM programs and community relationships.

“The students we focus on here are predominantly African-American or Latinx,” she said. “A lot of students come to the country without knowing the language. We have a lot of African-American students who haven’t had a lot of exposure to STEM.”

Her approach to helping students understand STEM principles is unique. She brings in guest speakers, involves students in afterschool programs with organizations like Digibridge, Honeywell and the Charlotte Hornets, and encourages hands-on activities like planting flowers or participating in science fairs. Her emphasis on showing students how STEM applies to their interests, such as the engineering behind professional sports, is a testament to her innovative methods.

“A lot of our Black males want to go into professional sports,” she said. “And I want them to understand there is more than just being on the field. You can take on STEM and be the person who does the stats or walks around on the field with the iPad.”

Reynolds knows that curiosity can only grow in an environment conducive to learning. Building strong cultural awareness means using a social-emotional learning program, Wilson STEAM Academy’s Community Connection Circles, to ensure growth occurs in the classroom. The Community Connection Circles means every student knows someone in the building they can go to and talk to at any time.

“It’s also trying to make students see that everything centers around their ability to cope with life in and outside school, so they are more receptive to the concepts we teach when we address them as a whole person,” she said.

Be Excited About Learning

Reynolds’ connection to her students is evident in her enthusiasm for teaching and learning. She wants her students to see her excitement about what she teaches and what they learn, fostering a sense of shared passion and commitment.

“I tell them all the time, this is what we do, we do science every day,” she said. “Everything in this [class]room counts. What we’re doing is important, and we’re about learning.”