School and Community Fall 2022

Rachael Luke School building: Stanberry Elementary District: Stanberry R-2 Grade level: K-6th Subject: Special Education Number of years in education: 8

If I asked your colleagues, what would they say about your teaching style? I work with some wonderful teachers, and I am thankful to call themmy friends. They would say that I radiate fun and positive energy, but I can also stop kids in their tracks with a raised eyebrow of correction. My classroom is a balance between loving acceptance and accountability. I have high expectations for every student, even as I recognize their individual strengths and struggles. I want my students and my colleagues to smile and laugh with me. In the music room (and when I also taught PE for the past two years), I constantly seek ways to incorporate core content, cross curricular connections, and social-emotional life lessons. What makes you eager to start a new year? Since I’m a music specialist, I get to see my students again year after year. We pick up right where we left off, and that is a fabulous feeling. What is the best book you’ve read recently? Atomic Habits by James Clear offers some great insight for teachers. Specifically, his emphasis on consistency over intensity was something I needed to hear during the past two stress-filled academic years.

What makes you eager to start a new year? I love starting the school year knowing that I will get to see howmuch the students have changed over the summer. I love hearing stories about vacations, trips, days spent at the pool, etc. I love seeing their excitement to see their classmates and the joy they bring back to the building. What new hobby or activity have you tried lately? This past summer, I have learned to bake and decorate cakes. I enjoy seeing the finished project and baking with my two children. Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself as a first-year teacher? I would tell myself to take time to laugh with your students, listen to their stories, and don’t get so caught up in what you didn’t get done that day. Focus more on what was accomplished. No accomplishment is too small. Take time to talk to your colleges, coworkers, and other staff. You do not realize how important those people really are in your career and life. What is the best book you’ve read recently? Live in Love by Lauren Akins What is the best piece of advice another teacher has given to you? The best piece of advice I have received came when I was struggling to reach a student. The student and I would talk about the choices he would make and how they affected other people and himself, but I was not sure that I was getting through to him. He would continue to make the same choices despite how hard I tried to teach him otherwise. Our high school counselor told me “We are planting seeds.” She made me realize that even when you feel that you are not reaching a student we are planting seeds that will eventually grow. We may not get to see those seeds grow, but someday they will in fact bloom, so do not give up. Misha Parker School building: Lone Jack Elementary School District: Lone Jack C-6 Grade level: K-5th Subject: Music Number of years in education: 16 When did you know you picked the right career? Early in my career, I took a 5-year hiatus to stay home with my young children. The day I returned to the classroom at the same school my oldest children attended, I remember feeling a sense that all was right in my world. It turns out “Mrs. Parker” is the best version of me. Some seasons are difficult, but most days I have a ball doing what I was born to do.

Kim Fish School building: King City R-1

District: King City R-1 Grade level: K-12th Subject: Spanish

Number of years in education: 35 What new hobby or activity

have you tried lately? I experimented with landscaping around my house this summer, and most of the flowers are still alive! Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself as a first-year teacher? Talk to veteran teachers and get their advice. By doing so, you’ll save yourself much worry and frustration. Also, give yourself some grace. You will make mistakes and you will learn from them. What is the best piece of advice another teacher has given to you? After a conference, a colleague and I were discussing some of the great speakers we had heard. I told my friend I loved the ideas shared but could never be a teacher like the conference speakers. She responded, “You don’t have to be those speakers, just take their ideas and add your own twist.”

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