Carmel Elementary educator brings Wall Street background to second grade

<p><em>Woodstock Community News| Woodstock, GA</em></p><p>Heidi Sansone, a second-grade teacher at Carmel Elementary School, is bringing a unique perspective to local students after trading a 12-year career in finance on Wall Street for a role in education. Recognized as a member of the Teacher Advisory Council, Sansone is currently marking her 15th year as an educator within the Cherokee County School District.</p><p>Sansone’s path to the classroom began after a specific moment watching her 2-year-old daughter pretend to read to a sibling. According to Sansone, witnessing that capacity for learning made her realize she "wanted more from life than just a nice paycheck." She transitioned into education first as a supportive instruction paraprofessional for three years before becoming a first-grade teacher in 2014.</p><p>This school year, Sansone "looped" with her class, moving up to second grade to remain with her students for another year. She emphasizes relationship building as the core of her teaching philosophy, noting that students need to feel connected to learn effectively.</p><p>"I will never get tired of 'that' moment when a student 'gets it' after working tirelessly on a particular skill," Sansone stated in her district profile. "When I have the opportunity to celebrate students’ hard work alongside them, there simply isn’t a more rewarding feeling."</p>