Christina Ratliff
2025-26 Teacher of the Year: J.E.J. Moore Middle School
Question-Answer Session
Christina RatliffHow Long Have You Been Part of the PGCPS Family?
This is my third year at JEJ Moore Middle School. I have been the CTE and Career Investigations teacher for all 3 years. However, this year I have gotten to start doing the new GO TEC program.
This is my third year at JEJ Moore Middle School. I have been the CTE and Career Investigations teacher for all 3 years. However, this year I have gotten to start doing the new GO TEC program.
Please Share Your Thoughts on Being Named Teacher of the Year & What This Recognition Means to You.
I was very surprised to get Teacher of the Year especially because I didn’t know I had been nominated. It is nice to see my work valued and that people are paying attention to the things I do. Since some days I feel like I’m still just trying to figure it out.
What Inspired You to Enter the World of Teaching and Education?
I have always enjoyed working with people and helping them learn. I helped in the Sunday school classroom as a preteen and I think that was the first time I ever worked with students and enjoyed it. My first job in retail as a high school student also allowed me to train new employees and I found that I enjoyed it then too. My mother always said she knew I would be a teacher because I used to line up my dolls as though they were students and play school. So I guess that never went away.
Do You Have A Special Memory or Moment from This School Year You Would Like to Share?
I don’t know that there has been one thing this school year. I have really enjoyed figuring out the GO TEC with students. Some times I teach them using the equipment, sometimes they tell me what is working or not with the activities, and sometimes we are just muddling through together. But it has been fun and great to see them excited about the new activities.
Finally, What Do You Consider the Most Important Lesson You Help Students Learn?
Resilience. Building and creating isn’t always easy and trying to solve problems means it usually doesn’t work the first time. But getting them to try again or edit and change what they are doing is the lesson that will continue to help them. I feel that resilience and initiative to keep at it are the most important things they can learn.