School and Community Fall 2023

classes. Everything about it felt natural and I enjoyed it! This job allows me seven to eight years with students, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that opportunity. I get to watch them grow in their performances, confidence, and music education! If I asked your colleagues, what would they say about your teaching style? My colleagues would tell you that in Mrs. Helle’s classroom, music education is more than just about music. Students do not just come to music class to give a teacher a prep period or to sing/play a song. My students come excited to learn history, language, math, geography and about other cultures in my classroom. The students and I travel around the world. When they learn a new song, we don’t just sing the song and move on. We find the backstory on the history that was happening when it was written and make history come alive! I have had so many students tell me, “I didn’t know history could be fun!” What makes you eager to start a new year? My students are my second family and I love them dearly. The best days in education are when you have everyone (even the hardest child to reach) excited about learning! I enjoy preparing our musicals and watching students step into new levels of confidence when they perform and bringing our community together to enjoy these performances. career? Choosing to become a teacher felt like a calling, rather than just a job. I realized I had made the right decision in my first year of teaching, when I saw the anticipation and excitement in my students’ eyes each day. However, the true affirmation came in witnessing their incredible growth over the year, both academically and personally. If I asked your colleagues, what would they say about your teaching style? They would likely say that my teaching style is diverse and adaptable. Recognizing the unique needs of my students, they would point out that I am flexible in my approach, oscillating between the roles of a facilitator, group leader and demonstrator as the situation demands. They’d emphasize that my ability to identify where my students stand and then adjust my style to best cater to their needs is one of the strengths of my teaching methodology. Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself as a first year teacher? Embrace every moment, regardless of whether it’s challenging or rewarding. Remember, each experience is an opportunity to learn and grow. Continually reassure your students that they are valued and cared for, and let this compassion guide your approach to teaching. Your dedication can make a world of difference in their lives. What new hobby or activity have you tried lately? My new hobby lately is chickens! Name: Michelle Thompson *semi-finalist* School building: Ash Grove Elementary District: Ash Grove R-4 Grade level: 1st Number of years in education: 10 Number of years in MSTA: 10 When did you know you picked the right

Name: Kathryn Inman *finalist* School building: Greenville Elementary School District: Greenville R-2 Grade level: 5th Subject: English Language Arts Number of years in education: 8 Number of years in MSTA: 8

When did you know you picked the right career? I can’t pinpoint a particular “ah-ha” moment, but rather a collection of small moments over time that confirmed that the classroom is where I belong. Whether it’s when a student understands a new concept for the first time, every student in my class is completely engaged during an activity or that small miracle that happens when a student begins to truly believe in themself... Moments such as these are what make up why I love going to work each day. I often view my classroom as my mission field and the task of helping children grow is my mission in life. Confucius once said, “Choose a job you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” That’s how I feel about being a teacher. What is the best book you’ve read recently? Hands down, the best book I’ve read recently is “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls. This book is a memoir written by Jeannette about her childhood experience living through dysfunction and poverty, eventually escaping to New York City to pursue her dream of being a writer. I couldn’t put this book down when I was reading it – it was riveting! Her account of childhood was quite the opposite of how I was raised, thus it acted as what is referred to as a window book - a book in which I could gain perspective and understanding of something I don’t have first-hand experience with. Many students, past and present, crossed my mind as I read this book. It was an eye-opener for me as a person and as an educator. What is the best piece of advice another teacher has given to you? The best pieces of advice I’ve been given from a fellow teacher were from my first principal Mark Wood from Van Buren, Missouri. He had a rule as our principal that has become part of my own philosophy as a teacher. He said, “The best way to make students hate writing is to assign it as a punishment.” He would also remind us at staff meetings that it is important for students to understand why they are learning the concepts you set out to teach them. When students know the why behind the how, they will have more personal buy-in to the learning process. Over the years, I have found this to be extremely true and use this strategy daily in my classroom.

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