“Feature-A-Teacher” with Special Education Teacher Samantha Fox

Meet Ms. Fox! She is currently in her seventh-year teaching Special Education for the RCS Central School District, with over ten years of experience in the field. Year after year, she shows the dedication and empathy it takes to create powerful relationships with her students and their families, allowing her to build a strong foundation to expand their knowledge, leading to a prosperous school year. 

Today’s Q&A delves into how her love for education and learning began and how she creates a safe and inspiring environment for her students to grow and express themselves. Thank you, Ms. Fox, for all your support and dedication to RCS students! 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. 

I have been teaching now for 11 years, and I can’t imagine doing anything else, except spending time with my amazing son and wife. I am very committed to my family. We are certified foster parents and have had the pleasure of being involved with helping several families through difficult times over the years. 

In my free time, I love hanging out with family, friends, and my two crazy dogs. I love being outside, going for walks, and exploring new places. 

Why did you decide to become a teacher? Why did you want to become a Special Education teacher?

I am a life-long learner who fell in love with teaching and learning at an early age when I struggled to learn to read myself. When I was finally able to unlock the code, I became fascinated by just how much one can learn when things are lined up correctly for an individual. Ever since, I have been a passionate learner.  

I wanted to help others unlock the same code. It seems like it really means more to individuals who may struggle the most, so I just naturally gravitated toward special education. 

How do you keep students engaged and having fun while learning?

I make sure to create an upbeat atmosphere where kids feel safe and empowered. Most importantly, I do my best to make personal connections with all the students I interact with. I make sure they feel important and heard. This leads to higher engagement and an atmosphere where we can have fun with a variety of engaging activities.

Who inspires you on a daily basis? What is the best part of your day? 

My mother, my son, and my students. The values my mother instilled in me throughout my younger life continue to resonate with me now. She was a veracious reader and loved to learn new things. I carry this same desire with me as a teacher. 

My students inspire me to always keep learning myself and how I can best pass that on to them. Currently, my son is my inspiration and the best part of my days. Getting to spend time with him and watching him develop into the person he is, is such a blessing. 

What’s your favorite memory of teaching at RCS?

I have been at RCS for the last six years and have many great memories. I always love seeing a former student and hearing how I have made a lasting impression on them now that they are in high school. 

Some of my best memories are from when I had 15:1 classes and seeing the students engage and have fun with some of the hands-on activities we did like making a cell cake or role-playing activities for social studies. Their personalities really showed through, and we all just had so much fun.