Edna Cannata, Kindergarten Teacher
"I love the joy and curiosity that my students bring into the classroom. They arrive each morning with a big smile, ready to learn! I am excited to see what they discover as they learn."
What motivated and inspired you to teach?
I came into teaching later in my career. I worked in public health for the first half of my life. My favorite part of public health was teaching children how to make healthy eating choices and how to cook. From there, I realized I wanted to teach. I love the joy and curiosity that children bring with them into the classroom. So I went back to school and got my teaching certification.
Why are you excited to come to ESD every day?
I love the joy and curiosity that my students bring into the classroom. They arrive each morning with a big smile, ready to learn! I am excited to see what they discover as they learn. I also have the privilege of working with so many amazing and talented teachers. I am inspired daily by their innovative and caring teaching skills. The ESD environment is one of respect and support.
Beyond your subject-area or discipline, what life lesson do you want your students to learn in your classroom?
I want my students to respect others and to be inclusive of others.
Tell us a fun or interesting fact about yourself!
We lived on the Italian Rivera in Genoa, Italy for 18 months. Because of that time, we were able to travel all over Europe. One my favorite activities was riding bikes on the city walls of Lucca, Italy. My husband says my super power is my ability to recognize and know a large variety of obscure animals and plants. My undergraduate degree was in biology and I truly wanted to be a biologist working for National Geographic. I love to visit any zoo, natural history museum, or park where I can learn more about animals. I watch football and cheer on the Vanderbilt Commodores (Anchor Down) and the UT Longhorns (hook em).
What is your favorite book and why?
Lord of the Rings trilogy. I always enjoy an end of the world, good vs. evil story. I wonder if I could be as courageous as Frodo or any of the members of the fellowship of the ring are and what would I do if was in their place.
If you could have dinner with three people, alive or not, who would they be and why?
Michelle Obama - Inspirational woman who continues to promote children's issues such as eating healthy and educating girls. I loved her quote "When they go, low we go high." Rick Steves - I have traveled all over Europe following Rick's dining and walking suggestions. Rick encourages you to live like a native of the country you are visiting. Robert Crosthwait - my father, he passed away 13 years ago and we still miss him. I would love for him to see me teaching, to meet my adult children, and his great grandson.