By Mary Barringer

Tammie Nuernberger didn’t just grow-up here. She didn’t just attend and graduate from Meridian schools. Her commitment to her community is much more complete than that. After graduation from Meridian, she didn’t take her degree and head for greener pastures. She returned to this community. She has taught at our school her entire 33-year career. She has committed fully.

Her love for her 3rd-grade teacher led to her first position, teaching Reading Improvement to 3rd graders. She loved the job, but she was ultimately asked to help fill a role teaching Language Arts at the Junior High.

As Robert Frost wrote,

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Many teachers would have chosen the easier path, but Tammie took a journey down a more difficult path that led to personal discovery and a badge of courage, “This is where I was meant to be.”

When asked what she loves about teaching at the Junior High level, Tammie said, “I can see students come into their own – develop unique personalities and independence. They understand concepts that younger students can’t grasp.”

Like most teachers, Tammie wants her students to be successful. To help guide students down their path to success, Tammie says it is essential to set expectations and model specific behaviors about right and wrong.

“Our students are exceptionally talented. We just have to tap into it. Families and the community can help students convert that capacity or talent into capability by recognizing student potential, encouraging them, and holding them accountable so they can learn and apply the lessons they get at school.”

Tammie admitted that she must walk a fine line to ensure that holding students accountable doesn’t squash their enthusiasm. She uses a 5:1 praise to criticism ratio. For every piece of critical feedback, she shoots for a minimum of five positive comments for her students. “Let them know they are worthwhile and have potential. Tell them you trust them to overcome any obstacle.”

The fact that she has taught for 33 years at the same school is a testament to Tammie’s loyalty to the school and community. She says that seeing the successes of past students makes it all worthwhile. When asked if teaching at a more affluent school would change her teaching methods, she said, “Students have needs, no matter where they are. You still have to be caring and help students to meet and exceed their potential regardless of their circumstances.”

Tammie sees the future as a place where kids will be motivated and passionate about learning. She is a part of a team of teachers who share similar teaching philosophies and care for their students. Their passion and empathy will change the world and the potential of every student who attends Meridian.