Congratulations to Rudie Carson, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School fifth-grade teacher, for her selection by The Walt Disney Company to the 2023 Disney100 Teachers Program!
Teachers in elementary, middle and high schools across the U.S. were invited to enter the Disney100 contest by submitting essays with this directive: “Describe an example where you brought wonder, creativity and imagination to life in your curriculum that inspired students in new ways.”
Ms. Carson, a lifelong Disney fan, decided to enter, detailing some of her teaching methodology both last year as a fourth-grade co-teacher and this year as a fifth-grade lead teacher, including a plan she employed to bring their unit on the American Revolution to life, tapping into music to help students learn long division and utilizing the “sunshine method” to help students relax when they feel overwhelmed.
The Walt Disney Company recently notified Ms. Carson that she (and 99 others) had been selected out of thousands of applicants to the Disney100 Teachers Program and will be treated to a four-day, three-night stay at the Disneyland Resort in May to experience the Disney100 celebration, as well the opportunity to attend a keynote speech and workshops at the Disney Imagination Campus. The workshop offerings include Science & Technology, Arts & Humanities, Leadership & Innovation and Performing Arts. The goal of the program is “to inspire teachers’ creativity while celebrating their amazing accomplishments.”
The 100 teachers are invited to bring a guest and enjoy two days of park tickets to enjoy Disneyland and California Adventure. Ms. Carson’s mother, also a Disney fan, will accompany her.
“As a Disney fan, I am so excited about this opportunity and can’t wait to learn new ideas for my classroom,” Ms. Carson said.
Ms. Carson is a graduate of Trinity International University in Chicago and previously taught in county elementary schools. She served as associate head coach of women’s basketball at Point University for seven years before returning to her hometown of Atlanta. She first joined the HIES community as an assistant coach for the girls’ varsity basketball team and was hired as a fourth grade co-teacher in the 2021-2022 school year. This year, she is a fifth-grade lead teacher and continues to coach the Lady Bears team.
