‘She is a friend to all and makes teaching students fun’

Walk into Kelly Reynolds’ second-grade classroom at Sanford Elementary and also you’ll uncover younger college students who’re attentive to what’s being written on the chalkboard with hardly a sound or wiggle in a chair. 

So centered {that a} group of school school can stroll into the classroom with out discover to shock their instructor with a particular award for her work, simply as Curtis Garcia and school from the Adams State School of Education did on this present day.

“We stress every single day, ‘How are we expected to act? What should our classroom look like to be a safe and fun place to learn?’ And so rules and routine, we are very consistent and we go over those constantly,” says Reynolds, who this week was offered with the Adams State Educator Highlight Award for her work with Sanford second-graders.

Reynolds is eighteen years into her instructing profession at Sanford. Her friends, like Mandy Mortensen, discuss how “she is a positive light to an often dreary and lonely profession. She is always there to cheer you on and encourage my crazy ideas. She is a friend to all and makes teaching students fun.”

“We had a student,” recalled Mortensen, “who would go home to no food on the weekend. Mrs. Reynolds made sure this little girl had a ‘weekend bag’ every Thursday that was full of food so that she wouldn’t go hungry. This is just one example of her thoughtfulness.”

Others are struck by her compassion and unimaginable endurance and kindness.

“I’d like to share a heartwarming memory of how Kelly went above and beyond to support a new student who was having a difficult time adjusting. This student came from a challenging home life and often seemed withdrawn and upset,” wrote Alia Guerrero in her nomination for Reynolds to obtain the Educator Highlight Award.

“From the second the coed joined the category, Kelly seen his battle. Instead of simply specializing in lecturers, she took the time to get to know him personally. One day, after noticing how the coed was disengaging and refusing to work she spoke with him at his stage. She sat with him, participating him in dialog and inspiring him to share what was bothering him.

“As the weeks went by, Kelly made it a point to check in with the student regularly. She would kneel down to his level, truly listening to him as he opened up about his feelings and experiences. Kelly created a safe space for him, validating his emotions and reassuring him that it was okay to feel how he felt.”

Reynolds additionally has taught fourth and fifth grades at Sanford, however says instructing second grade is her favourite. 

“I love teaching at this school,” she says. “It’s all about family and community and making sure that every child succeeds. I feel like home when I come here and it’s just the best place to be.”

She felt the identical about Adams State when she enrolled there popping out of Arvada. “I chose to go to Adams because I already knew I wanted to be a teacher. Adams had a ton of people going there for education, and so I knew it was a good school for becoming a teacher.”

Adams State is in its third tutorial yr recognizing academics and faculty employees from across the San Luis Valley with its Educator Highlight Award. Use this form to make a nomination.

“Being an educator to me means that every child feels safe and successful and is able to learn at school,” mentioned Reynolds upon receiving the award.

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