School and Community Fall 2022

Last year, I was able to organize the All-School Congress project with the help of my colleagues. It was a school wide reenactment of the U.S. legislative process, where the bills passed by students had an authentic impact on their own school environment. It was rejuvenating to witness the type of teaching and learning I had envisioned for years. What is the best book you’ve read recently? I was recently captivated by Peter Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics . Many a paragraph, I found myself nodding in agreement. It outlines best practices for refocusing classroom activities on student discovery and critical thinking. These are methods I had been aiming for in my own classroom, but I never would have had the time to carry out the action research necessary to pin down optimal strategies for implementation. Luckily, I do not have to, because someone else already has! Isn’t that the beauty of collaborative practice? Kristy Green School building: Kennett Middle School District: Kennett #39 Grade level: 6-8th Subject: Family and Consumer Science-LifeSkills Number of years in education: 16 If I asked your colleagues, what would they say about your teaching style? My class is a very non-traditional hands-on class. My students do not sit down much. One of the main things I hear is how dynamic and fast-paced my day is. In reference to my teaching style, I would say you may hear the words dynamic, inclusive, passionate, holistic and facilitator of Project Based Learning. What makes you eager to start a new year? After starting a school-based enterprise with my classes last year, I am very excited to keep the momentum going and build on what we have started. I will retain several of the same students along with several new and those students with last year’s experience will be able to build on their skills by taking on leadership roles as well as learn new things! The incoming 6th graders are excited to be in my class because they have heard about all that we are doing. It really is an exciting time to be a part of Kennett Middle School and I cannot wait to see where this year takes us! Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself as a first-year teacher? There are so many things I would go back and tell myself in that first year as a teacher. Probably the main thing would be that it is okay to ask questions and let your mentors and the amazing educators around you guide you. Collaboration is important to build confidence, not be so stressed, feel connected and to establish the lifelong learner mind frame.

Crystal Eldred *semi-finalist School building: Butler Elementary School District: Butler R-5 Grade level: 2nd and Reading Interventionalist Number of years in education: 19.5

What is the best book you’ve read recently? The best book I’ve read recently has to be Equipped for Reading Success by Dr. Kilpatrick. I didn’t have an understating of the importance of phonemic awareness until I read his book. I gained insight into the reading brain and I use this book daily with struggling readers as we practice the phonemic awareness one minute drills. What makes you eager to start a new year? As I start a new school year, I look forward to sharing my love for multi sensory structured literacy. The impact I’ve seen in my second grade classroom was amazing and I can’t wait to work as a reading interventionist in our district. Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself as a first-year teacher? If I could give myself any advice as a first year teacher it would be three things. First, find Orton-Gillingham literacy training and sign up for it. When I was trained through the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education, it was the best training I’d received in all my years as an educator. I wish I would have done it sooner in my career. Secondly, as you start a new school year, call all your students’ parents on the phone within the first week of school to share something positive about their child. You want to have a positive year with parents? Start it off early and make the first call home something that makes your parents know you want the best for their child. Parent communication is the key to a successful school year. Lastly, be a life-long learner. Always be on the look out for the newest research education. Learn from your colleagues as well, I’ve become a better teacher because I learned from their experience.

Lindsey Watson *finalist School building: Sunny Pointe Elementary District: Blue Springs School District Grade level: 4th Number of years in education: 10

When did you know you picked the right career? Teaching has always been my passion. When I first started my career, it felt like a hobby that I have been lucky enough to call my job ever since. I am incredibly grateful that I listened to my dad’s advice. He said, “Choose a career you love and you will never work a day in your life.” Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself as a first-year teacher? I would tell myself to find a strong mentor teacher, observe others, and ask questions. Do not be afraid to try

16 | FALL 2022 S&C