No matter how bad her day is going, Cassie Scoggins says when she's met by her smiling kindergarten students, her troubles just melt away.
Scoggins, 17, of Fulton, is a senior at Fulton High School and a "cadet teacher" through the Future Teachers of America program. She spends every other school day assisting Debra Hunter with her kindergarten class at Bush Elementary School.
The senior said she felt welcome in Hunter's classroom from the first day and "loves" teaching the youngsters. Her biggest daily challenge comes when she has to say goodbye to the students.
"Whenever I get there, I don't wanna leave," Scoggins said.
Helping out with everything from calendar and the alphabet to weather and recess, Scoggins said teaching has been an "amazing" experience.
"I love the little kids," she explains. "Sometimes they're a hassle, but it's totally worth it."
Hunter said Scoggins has been a positive role model for her students, and both the children and their parents appreciate the teen's presence in the classroom.
"She's doing an outstanding job," Hunter shared. "She's been really committed to the success of all the students in the classroom."