Linda Traughber grew up in Mt. Pleasant and is a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M Commerce). She taught at Annie Sims and Corprew before taking time off to be a stay-at-home mom. When she returned to the workforce, she worked for the Titus County Extension Service for three years then rejoined the staff at Annie Sims. She has been at Sims for the last seven years.
When asked why she became a teacher, Traughber said, “My mom worked as a substitute teacher for several years and would come home and tell interesting stories about the kids and staff she had worked with that day. She had so many positive experiences that it influenced me to get a degree in education.”
Traughber said she loves teaching reading. “At the beginning of the year, I tell my students that they have been learning to read but now they are reading to learn. To back this up, I give them as many unique experiences as possible. We research, we cook, we garden, we incorporate a lot of science and we read. I love to see their faces when they see their first reading growth chart.”
Traughber said that her philosophy of teaching is simple, you must “find a way to help every student reach an achievable goal. Students will work hard if you give them an attainable goal.”
Traughber has two daughters Emilee Capel and Mollee Ferrell.
Picture: Ms. Traughber enjoys gardening with some of her 4th grade students.