East End Teacher Wins Contest

's Amy McJunkin is the winner of the Patch .

McJunkin, who teaches fourth grade at the Easley school, said it was her dream to be a teacher.

"I played school when I was a child," McJunkin said. "I had distant relatives who were school teachers, but no one in my immediate family was a teacher. It was just what I had wanted to do my entire life."

McJunkin grew up in Easley and graduated from Easley High School. She received her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Anderson University and is a National Board Certified Teacher.

McJunkin has been teaching at East End Elementary for 14 years. She also taught one year at Laurel Creek Elementary in Greenville County.

When asked what drives her to keep teaching, McJunkin said it's her students.

"I get so attached to them," McJunkin said. "It drives me year after year to see how they change from year to year. You seem them mature, their personalities develop and you watch them grow."

McJunkin said it is very rewarding to see students leave with confidence. She said she enjoys bumping in to former students and in learning what they have done or what they are doing.

"I can't imagine a job I would love more," she said.

McJunkin said that she learned of the teacher appreciation contest from the principal of the school, Tammy Day. She said that Day had told teachers that some wonderful things were being said about teachers at East End.

"I love East End," McJunkin said. "It's a school that truly puts students first. Great things are happening at this school. I feel very honored to have been nominated for this contest."

McJunkin's name was selected in a random drawing. She received a $50 gift card, a Patch water bottle and a Patch tote.

Reader Deborah Stewart sent in the winning nomination and will receive a $25 gift card, as well as some Patch swag.

Thank you to each of our readers for participating. Stay tuned for more contests on Patch!