For Julianne Birdwell, teaching isn’t just a profession — it’s a family legacy.
Birdwell has been shaping young minds for more than a decade, and for her, teaching is more than a job — it’s a calling passed down through generations.
“My parents and grandparents were all teachers,” she said. “It’s just something that always felt natural to me.”
After beginning her career as a paraprofessional, she has been teaching full-time at Duke Public Schools since 2012.
The consistency of her presence has made her a respected figure not only among students but also among fellow teachers and families in the district.
She currently teaches seventh and eighth-grade English language arts and reading, as well as ninth-grade English. In the past, she’s also taught math and computer classes, adapting as needed to support her school’s small, flexible structure.
Her philosophy is built around one foundational truth: every student learns differently.
“I believe you can reach every student — you just have to find their level,” she said. “I try different methods and look for what truly engages them.”
In a rapidly changing world, Birdwell has learned to evolve with it, especially when it comes to teaching Gen Z.
“It’s definitely harder with technology,” she said. “They’d rather be on their phones than do just about anything else. That’s been one of the biggest challenges.”
To address it, Birdwell uses simple tools: board games, collaboration, and time away from screens to help her students engage with each other in more meaningful ways.
And it works — her classroom has become a space where connection matters more than devices.
Birdwell finds peace and purpose in the work.
Outside of the classroom, she spends her time with family, especially her grandchildren. She even teaches one of them now, an eighth-grader.
“It’s exciting,” she said. “But it’s also hard sometimes to balance being a grandmother and a teacher.”
Looking ahead, Birdwell plans to stay at Duke until retirement.
Her summers include professional development workshops and reading instruction training—all part of her mission to grow as a teacher.
“I want kids to love to read. That’s the goal,” she said. “Not just to pass a test — but to enjoy learning for life.”
In every lesson, every shared story, and every quiet moment of encouragement, Julianne Birdwell leaves a mark that goes far beyond the school walls.
