Editor’s note: This is the seventh in a series of Q&As with the eight teachers who have been chosen by Athens City Schools as teachers of the year. The teachers will be honored at a banquet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, in the ballroom of the Sandridge Student Center on the campus of Athens State University. Tickets are $25 per person or $15 for children 10 and under. Proceeds benefit the Athens City Schools Foundation. Tickets can be purchased at https://bit.ly/2NR70fo.

• Name: Denise Nash

• Hometown: Athens

• Personal: Husband, Jimmy Nash; daughter, Erika Carr; son, Jonathan Nash; and eight grandchildren

• School: Spark Academy at Cowart Elementary

• Grade taught: K-3

• Subjects taught: Reading and math

• How many years have you been a teacher? 23

• How many years have you been with Athens City Schools? 23

• Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Collaborative Education K-6 from Athens State University

• Why did you become a teacher? I believe all children can learn. As an advocate and teacher of children with special needs, I want to make a difference in their lives by giving them the confidence to unlock their potential.

• The best part of my day is. Working in small group with my students and seeing them accomplish their goals. The smiles on their faces when they understand how to solve a math problem or read a passage with minimal assistance is rewarding beyond measure.

• Who has been your greatest source of inspiration? Deborah Camp has been my greatest source of inspiration. I was her aide for five years prior to getting my teaching certificate. She taught me to use a variety of strategies to teach students with special needs. They all learn in different ways, and we need to find their unique learning style if we want to close the achievement gaps. Her friendship and positive example in going the extra mile to help students inspired me to choose this career.

• I hope to inspire my students by? Being a lifelong learner myself and trying new, innovative teaching methods to prepare them for the 21st century.

• What advice would you like to share with new teachers? Collaboration is the key to success. Teachers learn from each other just like students. Collaborating to develop, reflect on, revise lessons, provide appropriate accommodations for students with special needs and facilitate student collaboration are essential skills needed to meet the needs of today’s students.

• This is called the gratitude banquet. For what are you most grateful this year? I am grateful for my husband, children and grandchildren as well as my SPARK family. The atmosphere at SPARK Academy is about working together as one unit. We support each other at school and in the community. We view our students as our children, and we strive to do our best to prepare them for the world of the future.