Patty Spall ignites a love of learning in students through academic games.
Sandy Springs - As the music from the game show "The Price Is Right" filled the air, the first grade students in Patty Spall's class are all smiles. They know it's time for more fun while learning.
"We are ready for "What's My Error and Why," said Spall, as she asks the students questions about math.
Spall knows how to spin the excitement at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic School.
"Our next contestant, Mr. Patrick Harper" said Spall as student cheer. "They like that whole game show atmosphere puts more fun into the day. I do like when it's fun. I think when you're energized that energy passes on to the kids."
"Patty is fabulous," said Patty Child, principal at St. Jude and the person who nominated Spall for the the11Alive Class Act Award. "It's exciting to come into her classroom there's a game, there's connection to prior learning and it's evident that she loves what she's doing."
For Spall, it's especially important that she gets to teach in a Catholic school where she can focus on growing the spiritual needs of students.
For the first graders , she's simply priceless.
"Ms. Spall is marvelous," said one student.
"Ms. Spall is terrific," said another.
"There's no such thing as first grade without Ms. Spall," another child explained.