Back to School: Mrs. Mitchell’s Story

It’s officially backpack, pencil bag, and lunch box season—school is back in session!

This past weekend, Pastor Jeff honored our teachers and school administrators with prayer, a word of encouragement, and a gift. We celebrate the commitment teachers and administrators make in developing and enriching the lives of their students and fellow teachers. We want to say a huge THANK YOU for all they do in helping our next generation grow.

Emily Mitchell taught 3rd and 4th grade for nine years and was an intervention specialist for two years before taking on her current position as an Assistant Principal at Haslet Elementary School in Northwest ISD. Join us as we take a look into her life as an educator and administrator, and how God uses her and her staff to bless students every day.  

“Teaching is a tough calling; it’s hard to always be on for your students, but when you walk through those school doors, you know your influence will help your kids grow and change. You know that you can be a vessel of light for them. Our vision is to serve; to remind our students that we are here for them.

We are here for them in love—the love of Christ that flows through us. 

When I think back, my fourth-grade teacher really stands out. I was not a confident student at all. I struggled through school, especially in math and spelling. But she knew that, and she paid attention. She saw my struggle and really taught me how to craft my writing, how to get my message across clearly, how to believe in myself. She was the first person that really invested—she pulled the writer out of me and gave me such a gift of expression. She inspired me to become an educator myself. 

The influence of just one teacher changed my entire life.

When I was doing my student teaching, I was mentored by a woman who showed me how to love the kids first, and how to treat them with kindness and mercy. She helped me develop as a teacher. Now that I am an Assistant Principal at my school, I feel like I can do that for my teachers. I know I can show them how to love first and treat kids and their families with kindness and mercy, just like it has been modeled for me.

One thing that’s been evident to me throughout my 12 years in the school system: Everyone’s a leader, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to lead. I think about the people who encouraged me, which helps me to think about how to help them grow in leadership. I have to treat the teachers the way that I want them to treat the students.

I get to call out the leadership potential and skills in my teachers and staff, and they in return are empowered to do that with the students.”

-Emily Mitchell