Mrs. April Cosgrave

Fourth-grade writing and social studies teacher April Cosgrave has just started her second year at ESA and her sixth as a teacher. Originally from Florence, Mississippi, she holds a BS in psychology and an MA in teaching, both from Belhaven University in Jackson. We asked April a few questions about her experiences at ESA, her plans for the year, and how she spends her time outside of school:

What do you love most about your days at ESA?

I love that my students feel comfortable and confident enough to truly be themselves. I also love the sense of support among our faculty. I can go to anyone with an idea, question, or even just a need for help, and I know they will be willing to jump in and support me in whatever way I need. 

I try to make habits of scholarship and honor a natural part of our classroom every day. We talk a lot about being responsible, doing your best, being honest, treating others with respect, and taking pride in your work. I model these things for my students and try to give them plenty of opportunities to practice them throughout the day. I also remind students that being a good student isn't just about getting good grades. It's about putting in effort, learning from mistakes, helping others, and doing the right thing even when no one is watching. My goal is for these habits to become part of who they are, not just something they do at school.

I am so excited for this year’s WOW (Writing of the Week) journals! My students have really started taking ownership of their writing, and I love seeing their executive functioning skills grow along the way. Each week, they have a different writing prompt, but the routine stays consistent. They have a daily checklist to help them stay on track, and I use the same rubric each week so they know what is expected. I love that it gives them structure while still allowing them to take ownership of their writing and see their growth over time. 

First and foremost, I’m a mom to two beautiful little girls and a wife to a very busy soccer coach. They bring me so much joy and keep me on my toes! Outside of my family, I love CrossFit and go to class six days a week. It’s truly my one hour each day when I can shut my brain off, focus on myself, and recharge. It’s become such an important part of my life and something that helps me come back to everything else feeling refreshed. 

If I had a year to study anything in the world, I would love to learn more about the mind-body connection and how it affects the way children learn. I’m fascinated by how movement, physical activity, emotions, and overall well-being can impact focus, memory, motivation, and confidence. I would especially love to explore how we can build more movement and active learning into our curriculum so students are engaged both mentally and physically. I think understanding that connection better would help me create a classroom where students are not only learning more, but feeling better and more connected to their learning.

I would tell them that ESA truly feels like a community. The teachers care deeply about their students, and there is a real emphasis on knowing each child as an individual. I love that we have high expectations while still making room for students to be themselves, try new things, and grow at their own pace. There is a strong sense of partnership between teachers and families, and I think that is one of the things that makes ESA such a special place to be.