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Nims feels connected to Austintown schools
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Austintown native Amanda Nims recently earned her first permanent teaching position teaching technology at Lynn Kirk and Woodside Elementaries. On Sept. 6, Nims posed near some of the decorations she recently added to her Lynn Kirk classroom.
By SARAH FOOR
Amanda Nims is a very familiar face around Austintown. She attended Austintown schools her entire academic career, and since graduating from YSU with a bachelor’s in education, worked as a substitute and a tutor in Austintown elementary schools.
Nims is continuing to strengthen her relationship with her hometown after gaining her first permanent teaching position as technology teacher at Lynn Kirk and Woodside elementaries.
Along with days shuttling between her two positions, Nims is pursuing a master’s degree in elementary and reading literacy.
“It sounds busy, but I think it all fits together really well. With assignments where I need to observe students, I use my classroom as a way to better my education. It’s interesting, because I’m teaching and learning from my kids at the same time,” Nims said.
At Lynn Kirk and Woodside, Nims is responsible for teaching her students basic computer technology, using the Internet for research and navigating technology tools.
“The focus is technology, but it’s great to intertwine my lessons with science, social studies, math, phonics and literacy. I’ll be working with a lot of teachers this year to see how I can supplement their lessons with the work I do in technology class,” Nims said.
In a rapidly changing world, Nims hopes her teaching will leave her students well-tooled for inevitable advances in technology.
For the moment, though, Nims is happy to have a permanent home in Austintown.
“I just feel connected to this place. Everyone is so happy to see me here and I have great relationships in these schools. I’m very happy,” she said.