Rebecca Mongar-Collette is WLAF’s “Teacher of the Week”

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – WLAF is continuing its salute to Campbell County teachers with a shout-out to all you hardworking educators.  This week’s spotlight shines on Valley View Elementary School Pre-K Teacher Rebecca Mongar-Collette.

Miss Rebecca, as the kids call her, has been teaching for 14 years, 12 of them in Pre-K.  She also served for two years as an assistant principal.

Teaching has always been a passion for Mongar-Collette, who said she knew she  wanted to be a teacher from the time she was in elementary school.

“I became a teacher because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of children and I want children to love learning. Being a Pre-K teacher, I feel like I have the opportunity to do just that,” Mongar-Collette said.

Miss Rebecca said she feels blessed to be the “first teacher” for many of her students.  “If I can make them excited about learning and excited to come to school, then I feel that it will help to set the stage for future learning.”

 Miss Rebecca, a former Campbell County Lady Cougar Softball player, is the veteran head softball coach of CCHS.

She said she has had some amazing educators throughout her own school career that influenced her life and hopes she can have the same positive influences on the lives of the students she comes in contact with.

“There are so many aspects of teaching that I love….the smiles on my students’ faces each morning when I greet them, seeing the excitement on their faces when they learn something new, watching them make new friends and become more independent, watching former students grow up and become the individuals that were meant to be….the list could go on and on.”

This year is a special year for Miss Rebecca, as her very first Pre-K class from Valley View Elementary School will be graduating from high school.  She said she was incredibly proud of them.  “2020 is an exciting year for them.  I can not begin to express how proud I am of all of my students; current and former.  I can not wait to see what their futures hold.  They will do great things, and I am honored and blessed to have been a part of their educational experience.”  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 10/22/2020-6AM)