Teacher enjoys molding young minds

Paige Satcher loves her profession.

"I teach them to write; I teach them to read; and we can still sing and dance," said Ms. Satcher, a kindergarten teacher at Mossy Creek Elementary School.

Though she likes to have fun with her work, her passion is helping other people. She knows she can do this through her vocation. She hopes to be a role model and inspiration to her pupils and their parents.

A graduate of Midland Valley High School, Ms. Satcher is the first person in her family to earn a college degree. She is a graduate of Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C.

"I did it all on scholarships," she said.

Ms. Satcher's teen years were difficult. Her father was an alcoholic who died when she was 16, and she watched her mother struggle to make ends meet. The courage of the women in her family, including her mother, grandmother and sister, inspired Ms. Satcher.

Other experiences have helped her relate to people.

During college, she went on two teaching fellowships abroad.

She spent a month in China teaching English as a second language. She remembers the laughter in the room her first day on the job. None of her students had ever heard English spoken, she said.

Last year, she experienced another language gap.

"Nine of my 16 (kindergartners) spoke Spanish," she said. "I truly understand what it's like not to be able to communicate."

Ms. Satcher said she's glad to have returned home to Aiken County.

"I love Mossy Creek," she said. "The people here are so passionate about moving forward."

Reach Charmain Brackett at charmain.brackett@augustachronicle.com.