WCPS educator completes successful first year teaching 4th graders; plans to move on

Alexis Stiles, who last August started her first year of teaching at the age of 19, this month successfully completed school year 2018-2019 for Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) as a 4th grade teacher at A.S. Rhodes Elementary School.

Teacher Alexis Stiles says her time at Rhodes ES has been “such a wonderful ride.” Photo by Kim Riley

“My first full year of teaching has been such a wonderful ride,” Stiles told the Royal Examiner. “I have loved taking on the responsibility of my own classroom. I know some people had doubts in my capabilities of becoming a teacher at such a young age, but I think looking back on the year, it has gone really well.”

Her boss agrees.

“Miss Stiles had a successful first year of teaching,” said Lori Layman, principal at A.S. Rhodes Elementary School. “She consistently asked for and used feedback to help her grow. Her students enjoyed her class and learned so much from her this year.”

Even the higher-up boss concurs.

“I only heard good things about Miss Stiles so I would say she has been a successful first-year teacher,” said Greg Drescher, superintendent of WCPS.

Stiles, a Front Royal, VA, native who will turn 20 on Aug. 26, said she’s learned a few things this school year that she can share with other first-year teachers.

“My biggest advice to new teachers is it is okay for things to not work out as you planned,” she explained. “Things may not go the way you wanted them to, but that is what will make you stronger as a teacher.”

She said new teachers also should be flexible and learn to adapt. “No matter what, make sure you are putting your kids first.”

Stiles (left) gets students ready to work on their math. Photo by Kim Riley

Stiles works one-on-one with student Raegan Harris. Photo by Kim Riley

Stiles added that she’s also learned she has areas to improve upon. But that doesn’t faze her because she’s confident her strengths will grow as the years progress.

At the same time, Stiles also realized she couldn’t have had a great school year without support from Principal Layman and the fourth-grade teaching team, Faith Falkenstein and Rebecca Foerster.

“Being in a smaller school, Mrs. Layman has a lot on her plate, but despite that, she still always made time to answer all my questions and lend me a helping hand if I asked for one,” Stiles said. “I have loved working with my fourth-grade team this year as well. Mrs. Falkenstein and Ms. Foerster have been so supportive towards me which has made this school year such a pleasure.”
While taking on classroom duties, Stiles also continued coursework this past year toward her master’s degree in business administration. She plans to finish her college classes in November, as well as those needed to earn her professional teaching license.

“I have one class and three state tests left until turning my provisional license into a professional license,” she said. “Down the road, I plan to get my doctorate degree in leadership administration with a long-term goal of becoming a principal. I do plan to teach for several years to fully understand the field before I would like to move up.”

With an eye on eventually earning a principalship, Stiles acknowledged that she has taken a 4th-grade teaching position at Greenwood Mill Elementary School in Frederick County for the 2019-2020 school year.

“I have absolutely loved my time at A.S. Rhodes Elementary School as that was where I went to school as a kid, but I know moving the move early in my career is what is best for me,” Stiles said.

Her new school in Winchester, Va., also is closer to both her residence and East Coast Gymnastics and Cheer, where she holds a competitive coaching position.

Stiles (left), her students, and teaching assistant Samantha Morrison (right) welcome the end of the school year. Photo by Kim Riley

Students gather around Miss Stiles (center), who accepted a new teaching position in another school district for school year 2019-2020. Photo by Kim Riley

Despite Stiles’ departure from WCPS, Superintendent Drescher said the county does have a good retention rate for first-year teachers.

“Once a teacher gets four or five years of experience is when we typically start losing them to other school districts,” said Drescher.

Principal Layman said the Rhodes faculty and students are sad to see Stiles leave.

“We wish her the best at her new school and in her gymnastics coaching career,” said Layman. “Her enthusiasm, determination and kindness will always be remembered by her students and colleagues.”

New 19-year-old WCPS teacher takes on 4th grade at A.S. Rhodes