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Her classroom days start at 7:30 a.m. with math, followed by a time when some students go to classes focused on their needs while others remain with her in the classroom. Then comes lunch and art classes before recess makes an all-too-short appearance \u2014 perfect timing, too, because it\u2019s knowledge, science, or social studies time next. They\u2019re certainly being taught an incredible amount at an ever-increasing pace. For Pilkington and grownups who recall the school days of their childhood, this is not the routine they remember. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI started at Southside Elementary and was there for two years, then went to Liberty through eighth grade and graduated from Shelbyville Central High School,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After graduating high school, Pilkington obtained her bachelor\u2019s degree from Middle Tennessee State University and her master\u2019s degree from Cumberland University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pilkington is determined to give her students the best possible foundation from day one. After being a kindergarten teacher at East Side for eight years, she left teaching but realized after only eight months that she needed to be back in the classroom and returned to East Side as a first grade teacher. Pilkington uses data\u00a0available on each student\u2019s level of learning to tailor their curriculums accordingly \u2014 sometimes going back to the basics they learned in kindergarten.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pilkington said, \u201cMaking sure every student reaches their greatest potential is a challenge I\u2019m presented with at the beginning of the year and aim to accomplish each year. I love seeing my students learn and grow. When they have those \u2018aha moments\u2019 or accomplish a goal they\u2019ve been working really hard towards, those are the best! I also truly love the relationships I get to form with each and every student.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Family is at the heart of Pilkington\u2019s life, whether at or away from school. The East Side family is one of her favorite things about her work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n She said, \u201cIt\u2019s just like a big family. You can feel the care; you can see the care. We\u2019re just all here for each other.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n For Pilkington, family is a source of strength and her number one priority. From special occasions spent with her parents, brother, and extended family to life\u2019s little and big moments shared with her husband, Jason, and their foster son \u2014 it\u2019s all part of what makes home such an important place in her heart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pilkington said, \u201cThe people who work at East Side and the students are my favorite thing about my school. We have the best administration, teachers, assistants, and students, hands down. I love East Side and am so glad to call it home!\u201d GN\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" IT\u2019S BECOME a Bedford County tradition \u2014 graduating seniors returning to their elementary schools to walk the halls of their childhood memories. When the last days of high school are marked off the calendar and seniors return to East Side Elementary School this spring, it will be a big day for them and an emotional […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13571,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13558","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/DSC_2312-1024x835.jpg\")