Inside our schools: Gym teacher for a day
There’s a hierarchy in elementary school, with fifth-graders at the top.
So for Skyway Elementary fourth-grader Natalie Carroll one perk of being PE teacher for the day was getting to tell the older kids what to do.
It was a little scary at first, Natalie said, but with the help of a whistle and a lesson from teacher Teri Hamilton on how to use a “gym voice,” the class was quickly under control.
The 10-year-old won the privilege of being PE teacher for an entire day for raising the most money – $315 – in the school’s Jump for Heart fundraiser, which benefits the American Heart Association. Natalie jumped rope in honor of Quinn Holt, the child of a family friend, who was born with a heart condition.
Skyway students raised more than $4,200 through the fundraiser.
Natalie met with Hamilton the day before her teaching debut to discuss lesson plans and review the day’s schedule, which included a meeting and wrapped up with car duty after school.
Following fifth-grade PE, 10-year-old Natalie was in charge of teaching fourth-graders, just like herself.
“Run laps,” said Natalie, who wore a black track suit and a badge identifying her as a “Jr. PE Specialist.”
“I don’t feel shy for this class because they’re my friends,” she said. “I told them, don’t act like I’m your friend. I’m the teacher.”
Coeur d’Alene teachers, retirees honored
Woodland Middle School teacher Beth Wright is the Coeur d’Alene School District’s 2008 Educator of the Year. Wright, who teaches sixth-grade, was also selected as the district’s Middle School Educator of the Year during the district’s annual retirement and recognition dinner earlier this month.
Wright began her career with the district in 1996 as a fourth-grade teacher at Hayden Meadows Elementary and transferred to the middle school in 2005. She coaches volleyball and Special Olympics and oversees the Woodland Bike Club and Idaho Drug Free Youth.
Hugh Marconi, a special education teacher at Ramsey Elementary, was named Elementary Educator of the Year. Marconi taught special education in the Silver Valley before he was hired by the district in 1995. He has been involved in developing programs to help special education and at-risk students, written numerous grants and served on several statewide committees.
Paul Swartz is the district’s High School Educator of the Year. The Coeur d’Alene High International Baccalaureate teacher and longtime coach has been teaching for 12 years. He was recognized for integrating technology into the classroom. He uses a Web site to post assignments and student work and has completed several professional development courses.
Katie Pemberton is the district’s Rookie of the Year. She is in her third year of teaching and was selected for using technology “to motivate and excite” students in Canfield Middle School’s pre-algebra class and School Within a School program. She coaches volleyball and track and is involved in charitable organizations.
The district’s Classified Employee of the Year is Carol O’Shea, a special education para-professional at Canfield Middle School.
Kindergarten registration Wednesday
Kindergartners and first-graders entering the Coeur d’Alene School District for the first time this fall can register Wednesday, May 21, at their neighborhood school. Registration runs from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Children must be 5 by Sept. 1 to enter kindergarten this fall. Parents should bring to registration a certified birth certificate, a recent utility bill and immunization records.
Registration for grades 1 through 5 will be noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 19.