Kristie enjoys classic literature and reading to her students

Meet Kristie Gill, a special education teacher at Waterway Elementary.

Kristie is in her 14th year teaching at Waterway and 30th in her career. She taught four years at Loris Elementary when she first moved to South Carolina. Previously,  She lived in Barbados and taught students with exceptional needs for 11 years. Gill earned a bachelors degree in special education from East Carolina University. She also earned a masters degree in special education from Grand Canyon University and is National Board Certified as an Exceptional Needs Specialist.

Kristie is married to Chris Gill who is the owner and fishing charter captain of Go Fish Inshore Charters. They have two children, a son Tyler who is a North Myrtle Beach Police Officer, and a daughter Savanah who is a senior at USC and will graduate in May 2020.

Kristie’s most rewarding part of her teaching is “helping students overcome obstacles they face when learning math concepts or learning to read.” “Seeing the smile on the faces of my students when they finally achieve success on a skill they have struggled with for a long time” is her greatest reward. She enjoys living day by day in the classroom working, laughing and learning alongside the precious children she teaches. She believes “every child has value and they will one day shape our community and nation that we call home.” Her favorite quote is by Eleanor Roosevelt. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” She inspires her students to believe in themselves and their future.

Kristie enjoys classic literature such as Wuthering Heights, Great Expectations, and Pride and Prejudice. She also enjoys reading classics to her students like Treasure Island, Moby Dick, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. However, her favorite book is the Bible. She explains “it’s full of life and teaches me about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is a book beyond any value and it holds the power to transform lives, bring hope to the world, and inspire us to live selflessly.”

Kristie’s main hobby is working in her yard with plants and flowers. She loves taking care of rose bushes, azaleas, hydrangeas and various other plants. Every year she learns more about gardening and improves on her skill to care for them.

Waterway is happy to have her as part of their school family.