WTOC Top Teacher: Trey Austin

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - While students are on Christmas break, we are still celebrating our Top Teachers.

Trey Austin, a fourth-year teacher at Bluffton Middle School, says the heart of his classroom is the relationships he builds with his 7th-grade social studies students.

“I love teaching social studies and [am] very passionate about it,” Austin said. “But what makes this job so rewarding is just developing those relationships with the students. Letting them know you care about them. And when that foundation is laid they are really able to connect with you, you’ll see them grow and a lot of cool things will happen.”

Austin, who describes teaching as his calling, said few days go by when he doesn’t come to school excited to work with his students.

“I love teaching. I love working with kids. It really is one of the most rewarding things you can do, and it’s one of the most rewarding things I have ever done,” he said. “There are very few days I don’t come in here giddy and excited to work with the kids and teach them. It’s just an awesome experience.”

Beyond enthusiasm for the subject, Austin’s classroom focus centers on helping students develop confidence and a love of learning.

“I want them to know that I truly care,” he said. “Like every teacher out there, I’m not in it for the money. I’m not in it for any personal or material gain. I want them to know I care. The teachers all here at Bluffton Middle — we all care. We want to help them to see where they can go in life and how high they can go. These kids have so much promise; it’s on us to make sure that they reach that.”

Students in Austin’s classes experience social studies lessons paired with encouragement and high expectations — a combination he believes leads to growth both academically and personally.