Fourth-grade teacher at Johnson City Elementary School Maralee Bixby might not be your typical elementary school teacher, only in her second year ever in the profession. But for the new kid on the block, that hasn't proven to be an obstacle when it comes to success in the classroom.

"As a new teacher, you know, you depend on other new teachers as well and make connections with them that you're getting through it together, like the bonds that I have with my other two new fourth grade teachers this year," Bixby said. 

Earning her degree from SUNY Oneonta in 2023, Bixby got early exposure to the classroom through student teaching while at the university. But her first memories of the teaching field come from her childhood memories.

"I remember being little and asking Santa for classroom supplies and from the teacher store and coming home each day and like teaching my class what I taught at school that day," Bixby said. "I've had great examples. My aunts, a teacher, my uncle, my mom's worked in the school district."

The fourth-grade teacher calls her classroom a true community, making it a safe place to know it's ok to make mistakes and everyone is learning together. However, that doesn't stop Bixby from bringing some fun to the lessons while also teaching what's important. 

"Being able to be a little goofy with them and teaching them the boundary of it's school supposed to be fun, but there's also, you know, respect and expectations that we also follow to make sure we're safe," Bixby said. 

This Teacher of the Week doesn't want her students to compare themselves to anyone and show pride in their growth.

"If they are struggling, know that they're still working on it, they're still getting better and they're not a failure because of it," Bixby said. "They're trying. And that's the opposite of a failure. That's making them grow."