NAME:
Connie Akins
SCHOOL:
Stoner Creek Elementary
CLASS:
second grade - all subjects
SCHOOL PHONE:
754-6300
I have lived in Mt. Juliet since I was four years old. Things certainly have
changed here in our small town. I remember when we didn't even have a red
light or a McDonalds!! I attended Kindergarten in the building on Mt. Juliet
road that is now a wedding chapel. I went to the first thru fourth grade at
the old Mt. Juliet Elementary, which is now torn down. Then I went to fifth
and sixth grade at West Elementary. I came back to the old torn down Mt.
Juliet Elementary for seventh and eighth grade because the Jr. High used to
be included at that building. Finally, the new building was finished and I
went to the ninth grade at what is now called West Wilson Middle School but
was Mt. Juliet Jr. High at the time. My sophmore, junior and senior years
were spent at Mt. Juliet High School. I graduated from there in 1980.
My parents still live here in the house I grew up in. I have a sister living
in Lebanon, a sister in Mt. Juliet (Stoner Creek teacher Ms. Gatlin is my
sister), a brother in Old Hickory, one in Lebanon and one in Atlanta,
Georgia. I have had a wonderful life coming from such a big family. I also
have 10 nieces and nephews as well as a great niece and nephew. I have two
very precious children of my own. Ashley, my daughter, is 23 years old and
recently graduated from nursing school. She continues to make me very
proud! Collin, my son, is 15 years old and he is a freshman at Wilson
Central High School. Collin also makes me proud. My husband, David Akins, is
the assistant principal and the athletic director at West Wilson Middle
School.He also coaches wrestling and boys soccer. As you can tell, family is
very important to me. Also very important are our pets, Gotee' the cat and
Homer the dog!!
I absolutely love teaching school. This is my 22nd year to teach. I have
been at Stoner Creek since we opened 21 years ago. I was fortunate to have
the unique experience of teaching in the elementary school I once attended
while SCE was being built, the old Mt. Juliet Elementary. Most of my
experience has been in first grade. However, I've taught 2nd, 3rd and 5th
grade too. I've even taught a split class where I had 2nd and 3rd graders
together. I've looped from 1st to 2nd grade with a class and I have been in
a team teaching situation. Just like the students, I continue to learn and
grow each year because every year brings new challenges and experiences.
My hobbies include scrapbooking, photography, reading, and cooking. I enjoy
traveling and camping. I even like to fish a little. My favorite places that
we visit several times a year are Gatlinburg and Panama City Beach. I also
love Disney World. We get to go about every 4-5 years. My husband
and I even talk about working there in the summers once Collin is grown. I'm
lucky that he likes it as much as I do. I enjoy watching some sports but
when I'm limited on time, it isn't my first choice for something to do.
Movies have to be really good for me not to fall asleep:) Mostly, I love to
be with my family. As long as we are together, everything is fun. We like to
play games, grill out and play with Homer. We love to spend time with our
extended families too. When we are out of school, we love to travel.
My mission is to build genuine relationships with each of my students by
treating them with respect and compassion. I will help each student to
develop a positive self-esteem by believing in themselves and by striving to
be their best. I will treat each one as an individual with specific needs
and feelings. I will also establish a unity within our classroom as I teach
and encourage the attributes of good character. By providing the students
with a positive, community oriented environment, I will stengthen their
academic and social skills.
