{"id":4420,"date":"2018-05-31T15:05:55","date_gmt":"2018-05-31T23:05:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/communications.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us\/?p=4420"},"modified":"2018-05-31T15:05:55","modified_gmt":"2018-05-31T23:05:55","slug":"celebrate-staci-wells-2018-kenai-bp-teacher-excellence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kpbsd.org\/schools\/comm-test\/2018\/05\/31\/celebrate-staci-wells-2018-kenai-bp-teacher-excellence\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrate Staci Wells, 2018 Kenai BP Teacher of Excellence"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Staci<\/a>
\n\u201cAs educators, we meet truly outstanding professional who makes a difference in the lives of children. Staci Wells is just that person! She is willing to go above and beyond and plays a critical role in sparking a passion for learning while consistently challenging and engaging all of her students.\u201d \u2013Bill Withrow, Redoubt Elementary principal<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Ms. Staci Wells <\/strong>teaches second grade at Redoubt Elementary School in Soldotna. She has been a teacher for 11 years, all in Alaska. \u201cTeaching isn\u2019t just my job,\u201d Ms. Wells says, \u201cit\u2019s who I am.\u201d Ms. Wells approaches teaching with a very personal tactic, what she calls \u201cguided instruction in a central style.\u201d She engages her young students in classroom instruction, of course, but as she says, \u201cIn order to see their lightbulbs go off, you need to get face-to-face.\u201d
\nShe believes the impact of teaching and learning is more powerful in a small-group setting, which allows her to catch students in a moment of difficulty and quickly redirect them to success. Similarly, she can immediately see who has already mastered a skill and help him or her to move on to the next step.
\nThe parents of her students agree with her approach. One parent wrote, Ms. Wells teaches these kids some amazing things, and they get it! My child knows things I would not expect from a second-grader.\u201d
\nMs. Wells earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in psychology from Western Oregon State College and an education degree from Kenai Peninsula College.
\nShe devotes much of her energy to searching out activities that are more fun and engaging for her students. \u201cIf I don\u2019t think a lesson is exciting and worthwhile,\u201d she says, \u201chow can my students?\u201d
\nMs. Wells has recently helped her school implement STEM learning and, \"Staci<\/a>simultaneously, personalized learning, also known as \u201cstudent choice.\u201d Offering both programs together results in a room full of eight-year-olds with unbridled enthusiasm.
\nMs. Wells says, \u201cI believe I inspire students by stepping out of my comfort zone and offering them opportunities that allow them to think outside the box. I want them to realize their full potential.\u201d
\nUnder Ms. Wells\u2019 passionate teaching, students gradually learn to set goals and review their progress. A teacher never knows what to expect when he or she is handed a class list at the beginning of the year. But, as she tells us, that list quickly becomes a family. She states: \u201cKnowing that I am trusted with a parent\u2019s greatest treasure is a high calling of honor.\u201d
\nEvery morning, Staci spends time in her classroom getting ready for the coming day, and former students stop by to say hello. They come by to determine if the room decorations have changed, or to quiz her about a specific memory or event. But mostly, they stop in to get a hug.
\nMs. Wells admits, \u201cThere is nothing that makes me prouder than the relationships I\u2019ve made with my students. When they stop in to say hello, I know I was successful in making an impact on them.\u201d
\n\u201cI am very proud of all our finalists for this prestigious award,\u201d said Sean Dusek, superintendent. \u201cThey all embody the qualities we want all of our teachers to exhibit, especially in how they ensure a strong, positive relationship with each and every student. Each finalist is very deserving of this recognition and I look forward to their continued excellence and leadership in our district.\u201d
\nCongratulations, Staci Wells, BP Teacher of Excellence.<\/strong>
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