Meet the First-Grade Teacher From a Family of Passionate Educators

Ahead of the 2024 school year, PS's The Educators is spotlighting 24 public school teachers around the country who are making a difference.

Amber Whitfield is a first-grade teacher at R.C. Lipscomb Elementary School in Pensacola, FL. She has 12 years of teaching experience and previously taught art to kindergarten through fifth-grade students. She comes from a family of passionate educators, including her husband, who is an administrator in Alabama. Keep reading to get to know her.

What inspired you to be a teacher?
My fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Danielle Fryman at Barrineau Park Elementary, inspired me to follow the path of education. She made learning so magical and interesting. She lit a spark inside me that made me love learning and exploring new ideas. I knew in that moment that I also wanted to help students find that spark to love learning. She was kind and patient and had a way of making you feel like you really mattered and could make a difference in the world.

What's the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of being a teacher is being that safe haven of peace for the students that may not always be shown love and kindness at home. You teach a variety of students from all backgrounds, and being there for the ones that struggle means the world to me. Showing them that everyone deserves to be loved and treated kindly is important.

What do you always make time for because it makes you feel good?
Spending time with my own little family is so important to me — turning off my teacher mode and turning on mommy mode when I get home to be fully invested in my two daughters. I have the most precious daughters, Aria (9) and Emilia (1). Watching them discover new things and exploring life is always exciting. Aria has been my tagalong, joining me every day at school. Being able to work at the school that your child attends is the best. You are able to attend fun and exciting times in your child's life, like field days and drama club performances. Little Emilia will be joining me on campus before I know it.

What's your morning routine on a school day?
I have to admit waking up early is not my strong suit, but we make it work. I get the girls ready for the day, brushing hair, brushing teeth, and grabbing breakfast as we whisk them quickly out the door. We drop off Emilia at her daycare, then onto school we go. Aria enjoys helping me set up for the day ahead — I see a future teacher in the making. Making any copies needed and putting in the prep work makes for a much smoother day. My students are greeted at the door as they enter, so they know I'm so glad to see them again. We start the day calmly with soft piano music playing in the background as we work to help us adjust to the day.

How do you practice self-care?
Taking time for yourself is important to keep your engine running. Burnout is a big issue in the teacher community. We want to be heroes and do it all. Sometimes, it's OK to take a step back and breathe. I enjoy riding around in the car belting out songs at the top of my lungs to destress, even if I do get some of the lyrics wrong. Enjoying some alone time on the porch, just breathing in the fresh air and watching nature, is so relaxing (bonus if it's raining). I also enjoy painting to refocus and calm myself when I feel stressed. There is something about the way the brush pushes around the paint that brings me calmness.