Chelsey Wade
5th Grade Team Teacher
Education & Experience:
My journey in education has taken me through several different roles, each giving me the opportunity to work with and learn from children in different ways. I got my Bachelor’s degree at ETSU in Interdisciplinary studies for grades k-6. I began my career in elementary education, teaching second and fifth grade before moving into math Intervention. Most recently, I spent four years as an Academic Advisor with Tusculum University's TRIO Talent Search program, supporting first-generation and low-income middle and high school students as they explored their academic and career goals.
Along the way, I've worked with students from elementary through high school and discovered that no matter the age or setting, my favorite part of education has always been getting to know students as individuals and watching them grow in confidence. Now, I am excited to bring my experiences full circle as a fifth-grade teacher at Woodson Branch Nature School, and to continue learning right alongside my students!
Teaching Philosophy:
My teaching philosophy is centered on building strong relationships with students, nurturing their natural curiosity, and creating meaningful opportunities for them to explore, question, create, and discover. I believe learning should extend beyond worksheets and traditional classroom walls. Children benefit from hands-on experiences, movement, play, time in nature, and opportunities to make connections with the world around them. As an educator, my goal is not only to help students grow academically, but to help them become confident, capable, compassionate, and independent thinkers who feel empowered to take an active role in their own learning.
Favorite thing about kids:
My favorite thing about working with children is witnessing those moments when something suddenly clicks. Whether a student has learned a new fact, mastered a skill they once thought was too difficult, or discovers that they can do something they couldn’t do before, I love seeing their genuine excitement and sense of accomplishment. Those moments of discovery remind me why I became an educator.
Favorite thing about working at MCCLC / WBNS:
My favorite thing about working at WBNS so far has been seeing how naturally learning and exploration are woven into the students’ everyday experiences. I love being part of an environment where children are encouraged to be curious, ask questions, get their hands dirty, and learn by doing.
