Coeur d’Alene School District honors teacher of the year

Shelby Randklev is a passionate teacher, mentor, and motivator with a simple philosophy, “Do what is best for kids.” Randklev is a Title 1 Reading Teacher and Reading Specialist at Fernan STEM Academy where she works to improve school culture, acts as a role model for innovative teaching, and is an instructional team and professional development leader.

Randklev, propelled by her own experience as a young student who struggled with reading, believes that helping kids to develop a profound love of reading is her greatest accomplishment.  She has reimagined reading instruction at Fernan so struggling students are included in classroom learning, and receive differentiated instruction in a familiar environment where they feel safe and comfortable to learn, question, and explore.

Critical thinking also plays an important part of her students’ success. “When students are thinkers, they become readers, or mathematicians, or writers, or scientists,” Randklev says.  She models thinking skills with her students and with her teacher peers, promoting improvement through group dynamic learning opportunities that will impact the students’ lives in a positive way.

Randklev was honored last night, May 3, when she was named the 2017 Coeur d’Alene School District Teacher of the Year, at the annual education retirement and recognition dinner.

The event also honored nearly 30 classified and certified employees who are retiring at the end of this school year. Other finalists for Educator of the Year awards were:

• Rebecca Miller, Middle School Educator of the Year (Canfield)
• Marissa Owen, High School Educator of the Year (LCHS)
• Tara Nelson, “Rookie Educator of the Year” (Canfield)

Michelle Olson, Office Manager at Fernan STEM Academy, received recognition as Classified Employee of the Year at the event.

Randklev will represent the district in the Idaho Teacher of the Year selection this fall/ Victoria Michael , Coeur d’Alene School District.