Kaitlin James spends her days with sixth graders, and she believes that year matters more than most. The Corinth Middle School English Language Arts teacher is featured in the Corinth School District’s latest “People of the Crossroads” profile, published Oct. 27. The profile highlights this Corinth Middle School teacher‘s work in the classroom, her mentoring and her reading club.
James is in her seventh year at Corinth Middle School and her ninth year in teaching overall.
Why Sixth Grade Matters to This Corinth Middle School Teacher
James told the district she sees sixth grade as a turning point. Students take on more responsibility, manage new and old friendships, and go through social and emotional changes all at once.
“This is a great opportunity to help students build confidence, develop good habits, and discover who they are as learners,” she said.
She tries to make her classroom a safe, respectful place where students can make mistakes without fear. She does that with structure, clear expectations and encouragement, and by giving students chances to take ownership of their learning. She said the most rewarding part of the job is watching a skill finally click for a student. Her bigger goal is to raise lifelong learners.
Book Club, Mentoring and More
James’ work doesn’t stop at the end of class. According to the district, she:
works in the school’s extended day program,
serves as a mentor teacher for other educators, and
coordinates and hosts the sixth-grade Warrior Book Club to encourage students to read.
She practices what she teaches. The district says she has read more than 100 books so far this year.
A Northeast Mississippi Education
James is a 2012 graduate of Alcorn Central High School. She credits her high school English teacher, Rebecca Lewis, with inspiring her to teach. She said Lewis made everyone feel welcome and pushed her to step outside her comfort zone.
She went on to earn:
an associate degree in English from Northeast Mississippi Community College,
a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Mississippi,
a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Belhaven University, and
an education specialist degree in administration and leadership from Delta State University.
She is now waiting on results for National Board certification. That credential is one of the most demanding in the teaching profession.
Family and Bucket List
James and her husband, Shea, have been married nine years and have a 5-year-old daughter, Meredith. Besides reading, she enjoys cross-stitching and crafts. Her bucket list includes a trip through Europe to see landmarks such as the Colosseum, Stonehenge and the Berlin Wall Memorial.
Her message to students is simple. “I want to inspire others to be the best they can be and go after their dreams,” she said.
The “People of the Crossroads” series spotlights teachers and staff across the Corinth School District.
Jon R Myers is the executive editor of Alcorn County News and the founder of the Mississippi News Group, which he started in 2013 to cover communities across North Mississippi. He also founded the Mississippi Sports Group in 2006, which grew from a single community publication into a statewide network covering high school and college athletics. He reports on local government, public safety, schools and community life in Corinth and Alcorn County, working from public meetings, agency records and interviews with the people involved. Contact him at editor@alcornnewsms.com with news tips or corrections. For a correction, include the article link and supporting source material.
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