“I am motivated to get out of bed each day because I know I was given the gift of teaching and I get to use that gift to change lives.”

Those are the words of Tanglewood Elementary Media Coordinator Cynthia Hammonds.

Hammonds has 25 years of experience as an educator in the Public Schools of Robeson County. She spends most of her time in the library these days as a school library media coordinator, and she continues to use her gift to reach and educate students.

Her gift was realized early on as she began to “play teacher” as a child, Hammonds said. Her father bought her a chalkboard and the rest is history.

“I began teaching the kids in my neighborhood,” she said.

Hammonds has learned a lot from her time as an educator.

“Teaching has been a great profession. It has strengthened my leadership skills, increased compassion for others, and helped me become a better mom,” she said.

She also carries with her a few life lessons from the classroom.

“I’ve learned to slow down and listen,” she said. “It’s easy to become task-driven but how we make people feel is crucial. People need to feel that they are the most important part of my job.”

Hammonds has also gained a fresh perspective from her career, which motivates her to overcome any obstacle in her path.

“When I first started teaching, I would ask myself, ‘What can I do?’ Now, I ask myself, ‘Is there anything I can’t do?’” she said. “I’ve tried to build student confidence and impact student learning. In turn, they have strengthened me.”

Tanglewood Elementary Assistant Principal Kayla Hunt said Hammonds continues to reflect and hone her skills to improve educational experiences for students. She also has fostered a love of lifelong learning, which she works to instill in students.

“She really is innovative in ways to help students be successful in reading and learning,” Hunt said. “Each day, she inspires students to read and learn.”

But Hammonds has also made an impact on others during her career including Tabitha Locklear, who serves as a Media Coordinator at Peterson Elementary School.

“As a school librarian, we sometimes can feel alone,” Locklear said.

“But, she is just a phone call away for any questions that I may have. I am not the only that receives these benefits, she is sharing tips and tricks that she has learned that have made her life simpler in the library to us (other media coordinators) to make our lives simpler too,” Locklear added.

For Hammonds, the most important part of her job is providing support for students and staff members.

“Children are always looking for a good book. I am able to support teachers with technology needs or additional small group support inside the classroom,” Hammonds said. “My favorite thing about serving as an elementary Media Coordinator is laughing with the students as they respond to a great read-aloud.”

One challenge of her work is time.

“I want to suggest books, read to and with students, communicate with parents, tutor small groups, teach lessons, troubleshoot technology, process new materials, research new tools for the library, promote reading programs, assist teachers with materials and anything else that is needed. It’s challenging trying to meet so many needs at various levels in such a limited time,” she said.

When she is not working, Hammonds enjoys singing and spending time with her family members.