Krista Kawamura Makes "Survivors" Out of her Third Graders at Pearce Elementary

Krista Kawamura believes that every child is a winner and a "survivor" in learning. Her class is a "tribe," following the popular reality show on television, and students can earn points for success in her class. She only began her teaching career three years ago at Southside ISD, but already she has distinguished herself with innovative teaching techniques.

In her self-contained classroom, Kawamura teaches all subjects. She has the awesome task of helping 18 third graders pass the TAKS test without teaching to the test, inspiring them to think beyond the test and exciting them about the love of learning.

She also teaches a class for struggling 3rd grade readers. Rather than have them read endless passages, she created a small book club. They meet three times a week, reading for enjoyment. They discuss and share ideas about the things they read. The students can read for fun but still learn valuable skills they will need to use for the test.

Kawamura is continuing a long, distinguished tradition of teaching, following in both of her parents' footsteps. She remembers sitting with her sister in one of her parent's classrooms, pretending to teach each other. She can't remember not wanting to teach. "I love being with the kids. It's not a job; it's a pleasure!" Kawamura explains. "I can't see myself doing anything else."