Connections with her students have been key for Christina Cosgrove during her 16 years as an educator. It’s her commitment to meet the specific learning needs of each individual student that helped earn her the honor of Warren County R-III District Teacher of the Year for 2018.Cosgrove, a fourth-grade teacher at Daniel Boone Elementary, says she understands each student needs a unique approach.“You have to get to know them as little individuals,” said Cosgrove. “They’re not just students. I try to get to know them and what’s going to motivate them to learn.”Cosgrove joined the district in 2002, teaching third grade until 2016. In 2007-2008, she was recognized as the Warrior Ridge Elementary Teacher of the Year. She was later named The Record in Education Teacher of the Year in 2012.Cosgrove transitioned to teaching fourth grade and served as instructional coach for kindergarten through fifth grade in 2015-16.“We’re not really in it for recognition, but when someone does recognize your hard work, you’re like, ‘It’s just what I do,’ ” said Cosgrove. “It’s not really a job when you love coming to school and seeing the kids every day. You have to love what you do.”Daniel Boone Elementary Assistant Principal Jodi Brown says Cosgrove stands out by providing a therapeutic environment for her students.“Learning can’t happen until you’ve broken that barrier, and she does that every day,” said Brown. “They need the school to be their safe place.”For many of the students, school is their only constant and the classroom their comfort zone.“Once that trust is built and you have to have those tough conversations, you have that relationship built, and they’re open to your feedback,” said Cosgrove.Cosgrove has used her experiences to educate others in the field, recently presenting at the Powerful Learning Conference on Growth Mindset. As a member of the professional learning committee, she has attended professional development conferences in Kansas City and Columbia.“I want them to leave me better than when I got them, so I try to find one thing for each kiddo that I can improve on,” said Cosgrove. “And that’s not always about a subject, but it’s usually about character.”

Christina Cosgrove was named teacher of the year at the Warren County R-III School District. Cosgrove is a fourth grade teacher at Daniel Boone Elementary. Pictured, from left, are Assistant Superintendent Jill Schowe, Cosgrove, Daniel Boone Principal Stacie Goldsmith, and Assistant Superintendent Aaron Jones. 

Submitted photo