Teacher of the Month Nov 2014 – Kelly Pastirik
Congratulations to “Kelly Pastirik, who was voted “Teacher of the month November 2014!
Kelly Pastirik is a 1st Grade Teacher at D.J. Montague Elementary School. Here she is accepting her Teacher of the Month award from Sherry Phipps owner of School Crossing. Voting took place at WilliamsburgFamilies.com& School-Crossing.com. Voting is going on now for Dec 2014 Teacher of the Month.” Vote Here
Learn more about our November 2014 Teacher of the Month!
1. How long have you been teaching and teaching at DJ?
11 years
2. What drew you to teaching, teaching at DJ and was there any particular reason you chose to teach 1st grade?
We had moved back to the area after our son was born and I wanted to work for Larry Walk. First graders are so sweet and kind. They see wonder in everything we do in the classroom. I love to inspire them by showing them that they can read anything and learn about whatever interests them.
3. Can you mention a project where you were able to engage the kids outside of the classroom or stories that you heard where they brought their learning home?
I had several children bring books to school they had written at home. They shared them with the class and were so proud of how their work was enjoyed by their peers. Durning parent conferences parents shared how their children explained math and science concepts at the dinner table. That’s what it’s all about!
4. What perspective have you gained from being around 1st graders all day?
Every day is a new day. Be prepared for any question.
5. What do you want your students to be able to do when they leave your classroom – that you know will prepare them for further education and life in general?
I want them to able to think about how they think. I want them to ask questions about the world and seek the answers.
6. If you could ask parents to do one thing to help their children’s academic success what would it be?
Read! Read with your child. Have your child read to you. Read!
7. Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you and/or your class that you find you post, read, share or just meditate on?
Knowledge is liberty.
8. Are you from Williamsburg? If not, where are you from, what brought you here?
I grew up in Newport News, graduated from James Madison University, married my husband who is from Williamsburg. After the birth of our son, we wanted to get back to Williamsburg. Our parents live here and we wanted our son to know his grandparents.
9. Do you have any life lessons that the students in your class have taught you – maybe a short story about kindness, sharing or just a 1st graders perspective?
Children come packaged ready to learn. All I need to do is set up the right environment with the right materials, and they just soak it in.
Wow! What a great teacher!!!
Author
