This month marks the three-year anniversary of Latoya McGriff’s 2016 crippling car crash. After two years of recovery, she’s excited to be back in the classroom, and is reaching beyond the classroom with Facebook Live.
“I love being a teacher; there’s nothing else in this world,” McGriff said. “It gives me chills just thinking about it. Everyday I am excited about coming to work, and giving my kids my all. It makes me so happy to know that what I put in them, is what they will show the world some day.”
Ms. McGriff – as she is known by her young students – has been teaching for eight years; however, she took two years off to recover from the car accident. She has had six surgeries on her ankle. Her foot was detached from her leg. Her doctors suggested amputating it to help relieve her from the pain, but that was not an option for her.
“When I couldn’t drive, my mom would bring me to the school to see my students,” McGriff said. “I was very depressed when I wasn’t at school. Being in the classroom is my happy place.”
Although she has learned to walk again, she still teaches her kindergarten class with a limp.
“She comes to work every morning practically in pain, but she has that smile on her face,” teacher assistant Jennifer Sequeira said. “She never complains about her pain. I’ve even seen her crying. I’ve seen actual tears, but she is still smiling.”
McGriff’s students have coined her the “Unicorn Teacher.” Although she personally doesn’t like unicorns, she says Ms. McGriff the teacher likes unicorns. McGriff stresses the importance of finding what her students like and meeting them there.
“Last year, I would teach in a unicorn headband,” McGriff said. “When I would light it up, that meant it’s my time to shine. I’m giving you knowledge. It really got my kid's attention.”
McGriff is constantly searching for creative ways to keep her students' attention. While cleaning in class, she sings; and while teaching in class, she spells out words like a cheerleader.
Last year, a friend shared a Facebook link with McGriff about a principal in California who was reading bedtime stories through Facebook Live to her students while dressed in pajamas. McGriff later adopted the idea for her students. She began dressing like a unicorn and reading bedtime stories in an effort to connect with her students through the social media application.
“Story Time with Ms. McGriff is magical,” McGriff said. “You never know what I’m going to do. Last week, since it was Halloween, I dressed up like a witch and read in a witch voice. My kids really loved it.”
Read the full Aiken Standard article HERE.