Raney Alford

Education

University of Mississippi
Bachelor of Liberal Arts

University of Mississippi (Teach Mississippi Institute)
Concentration in Special Education

Arkansas State University
Master's In Educational Leadership


Experience

I began my teaching degree at Shadow Oaks Elementary School in January of 2010, where I began teaching a resource class for first and second grade students. During the 2011/2012 school year, I continued working at Shadow Oaks Elementary but moved to kindergarten inclusion. In August of 2012, I became a member of the HHS family, where I began teaching Job Skills Math 1-4 and Employment English 1-4 for the Occupational Diploma students. I am the Community Based teacher at HHS for my ninth year as a Tiger staff member. I will be teaching your child all subjects but concentrating on real life skills. I look forward to a wonderful year working with your child.


Bio

Hello my name is Raney Alford.  I have been teaching at HHS since 2011.  I am a wife to a very supporting husband and a mom to 3 daughters; Kaylee, 21, Karleigh, 12 and Ruby Kate, 4.  My family is my life and when I am not at school I spend every free moment with them. You can usually find me at home in my kitchen making custom cookies and cakes.

I am a DeSoto County native.  I have lived in the area since I was 6 months old. I graduated from Southaven High School in 1998.  I then went on to attend Northwest Community College where I graduated with my associate’s degree.  I chose the University of Mississippi to complete my Bachelor’s degree.  After achieving my degrees I began teaching but wanted more.  I went to Arkansas State University and finished my college by receiving my Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, where I will one day become a principal when I feel like my time in the classroom has been complete.

My love for special education started in the 5^th grade when I volunteered to read to the special education students at my elementary school.  After that year, I knew I wanted to make  a difference in students life that may just get passed by from a regular teacher.  Special Education students are challenging, yet there are days when they finally get the assignment we work on and their eyes light up.  There are others that are a struggle because the frustration of the student and may cause us to take a step back and rethink how we are learning.  My days are never the same yet I love my job and am so thankful to get to work with these students.