School and Community Fall 2023

Northwest Region K

teacher delivered the material and the student listened and took notes. Today, I have worked hard to release some of the delivering of information and become a better facilitator.” Navigating the ups and downs of the profession is impossible alone. He emphasizes the importance of self-care and community to ensure personal success for teachers who wish to avoid burnout. “Attend conferences whenever possible,” Holst advised. “I come back ready to try new things every time I go to conferences. Find ways to combat stress, like exercise planning, recreational sports and activities, watching a new series on Netflix, playing video games or planning a driving vacation during the summer.” Like many teachers today, he realizes that the education system has some shortcomings which need to be improved upon. “Teacher shortages are scary, but it isn’t surprising to me that we are faced with this problem,” Holst said. “Teaching is hard work and it’s a job that is really hard to just leave at the office. Getting paid well should be the norm – I fear that, until it changes, college students will choose degrees that pay over education. Class sizes will continue to rise, and services offered to students will continue to diminish. The days of choosing to be an educator because it’s a noble cause will no longer exist.” Despite these seemingly universal struggles, he enjoys fostering a sense of accountability in his classes and teams. Several of Holst’s most cherished moments involve witnessing former students and athletes return to teach and coach in the same district. Furthermore, simply interacting with students from years past is always a rewarding experience. “I’ve run into former students at the store and heard from them that I was a huge reason why they stayed in school and then went on to further their schooling,” he mused. “It’s important to be a great role model! So little of what students take away from you as a teacher or coach has to do with things you say. It’s what you DO that students take note of. Your actions, work ethic and level of passion are what they will remember.”

ayla Hinton (Savannah R-3) was certain she wanted to be an art teacher by the time she reached

second grade, inspired by all of the art in her school. After 32 years in the profession, she still holds this to be true. Hinton holds a Bachelor of Art Education from Fort Hays State University, in addition to over 60 credit hours of post graduate credit from several other institutions, focused on her art education needs. She has taught all levels of art classes in grades K-12, inspiring countless students to explore their artistic potential and pursue their passions over the years. In her role as an educator, one valuable lesson Kayla emphasizes is the importance of flexibility. “Even when you don’t want to, or it may seem like a big ask or you don’t understand the reasoning – be flexible,” she said. “I struggled with feeling comfortable communicating with parents in the beginning years, but it is not as scary as it seems. Most of the time, they want what is best for the student as well and they are willing to work with you. I find it works to show parents kindness and give compliments so they may be more receptive.” Hinton emphasizes that communication between teachers and parents is essential and becomes more manageable with experience. “It’s one of those things you just have to bite the bullet and make the phone calls, talk to them and it gets easier as you learn how to communicate in a teacher/parent relationship,” she noted. “Parents can be very supportive!” Another of Hinton’s primary pieces of advice is to remember one’s reason for choosing the teaching profession – the students. The connections forged with students, witnessing their learning journeys and experiencing those “big aha moments” are often the driving forces that keep educators passionate and motivated. Throughout her career, Kayla has enjoyed the privilege of witnessing the impact of her teaching on former students. “I am blessed and so happy when my art students will go to an art museum and send me photos from all over the world,” she explained. “Or when they learn something in college or life and send me a thank you message. I got a thank you recently - from a graduate in her freshman year of college studying architecture - for having deadlines for projects!”

Greater Kansas City Region A and now, 31 years into his career, he looks back fondly on the journey that brought him here. “My parents were both teachers, so it was always in the back of my mind, but once I transferred to the University of Central Missouri it became my full aspiration,” Holst said. “I received my associate degree from East Central College, followed by a bachelor’s from UCM and a master’s from UMKC.” After first teaching high school journalism and English, he has now taught physical education for 24 years. Holst also serves as head baseball coach for the Excelsior Springs Tigers. He believes that one of the toughest lessons for educators is recognizing that they may be a student’s best hope on any given day. “Sometimes the content you teach needs to be very secondary to the emotional well being of a student,” Holst stated. “I once struggled to give students an opportunity to lead. I was educated in a time when the aron Holst (Excelsior Springs School District) was destined to enter the “family business” from a young age

S&C FALL 2023 | 19