Teacher’s unique way of educating inspires students

Ashley Currie, Brock Country Day Early Education Center teacher, is planning on letting one of her students cut her hair. The day care and learning center has been teaching students from kindergarten through sixth grade about community service.

The students have been bringing items to the school to be donated to Manna Storehouse Inc. and the Weatherford-Parker County Animal Shelter.

To motivate her students, Currie added a bit of challenge to the project.

As each student brings in their items, they will receive a ticket to be placed in a bucket. Monday, March 19, a student’s name will be drawn to see who gets to cut their teacher’s hair.

Currie planned on donating her brunette tresses to Locks of Love for a wig to be made for a child who suffers from cancer or a disease which leaves them hairless.

She got the idea after a few of her students did the same thing.

“Some of my other kiddos have donated their hair and it inspired me,” Currie said. “It was a really awesome way to help someone in need and I wanted to do the same thing.”

So far, about 20 students have brought in non-perishable canned goods, animal food, collars and kitty litter for both organizations.

“Having the kids help out teaches them community service,” Currie said. “I just thought it was a really neat way to get the kids involved and they’ve been doing really well with it.”

After school on Monday, she will pull her back in a rubber band and let the designated hairdresser whack away.

She said she will donate a minimum of 10 inches of her hair.

Currently, Currie’s hair extends to the center of her back, which took her two years to grow. Monday, however she has braced herself to have short, sassy locks above her shoulders.

“It will be a big change, but it’ll definitely be worth it,” she said.

Day Care owner, Barbee Phillips, said each year she chooses a different organization for school projects. In previous years, the school has adopted an angel child, donated to local food banks and Goodwill among other local activities.

Phillips said by participating in the projects, students learn that their efforts are part of the Christian way of life.

“We express that it demonstrates a lifestyle of giving,” Phillips said.

She described Currie as an educator who teaches by giving of herself.

“She was meant to be a teacher,” Phillips said. “She does it in a personal, creative way. She has brought cupcakes for the children to decorate, has patience with them and lets them decorate their rooms with their art.”

Phillips encourages Currie’s enthusiasm among other teachers and students and said the project was a great idea.

“It’s awesome,” she said. “It makes them feel involved. By doing this, it lets them know that she loves them and trusts them enough to be a part of this project.”

Ashley Reynolds of Out West Hair Salon in Brock has offered to donate her services to cut and highlight Currie’s hair following her student’s task.

By Danie M. Huffman
Source: www.weatherforddemocrat.com