APRIL 2021 TEACHERS of EXCELLENCE
Recognizing Excellence in Teaching Through Dedication, Compassion & Knowledge
LAKE COUNTY
WHY TEACHING IS MORE THAN A DAY JOB:
“There isn’t much that I don’t love about my job,” Angie Smith says. “I love the connections that I make and, although I have a routine, no day is ever the same. I love that we can be silly and have fun sometimes, and that we are always moving. I can’t sit still too much, so this is the perfect job for me. Even if someone might not be good at one thing, they can still participate, get better and appreciate the activity or unit that we are in. We eventually get to something each person likes. PE is a time in their day when they can break away from the norm and be up and active. I can honestly say that I have never looked back and wished I chose another career. Teaching and coaching have been so rewarding, and I feel grateful to have been able to do something I enjoy. I’m lucky to meet and teach such great kids, teachers and administrators.” Smith has taught in the Crown Point School System for 27 years and is in her fifteenth year at Taft. She and her husband, Greg, have been married for 21 years and have a son, Ty, who is a senior in high school, and a daughter, Lexi, who is in eighth grade.
FAVORITE PART OF TEACHING:
Smith treasures the daily experiences that build lasting memories. She says she relishes the daily talks and laughs that she has with kids, hearing them share what they love about class and seeing them grow. “I also love seeing older students who have graduated tell me how much they loved my class, especially when they have specific memories about PE. Many kids develop lifelong friends and have great stories to share.”
WHY TEACHING IS MORE THAN A DAY JOB:
One of the favorite gifts Melissa Campbell received as a child was a chalkboard from her father. She recalls decorating boxes as bulletin boards. It’s no surprise that Campbell grew up to pursue her childhood dream of teaching, a dream that hasn’t lost its wonder. “Teaching is magical,” Campbell says. “Every day is a new day and no two days are alike. I love the magical moments where students surprise me with things that they’ve learned and that I’ve taught them. I love when students enjoy the little fun things that we do. I love the fact that teaching brings me overall joy.” She admits that teaching has its challenges, with discouraging and overwhelming days. But, she says, overall her days make going to work enjoyable. Campbell has taught for 16 years. She and her husband have three children.
FAVORITE PART OF TEACHING:
Campbell loves seeing her students win in the classroom and in life. “The first time I experienced the joy of a student who succeeded after struggling I saw how one little success changed his overall attitude. I had another student who struggled in reading. By the end of the year, her ability to read and carry conversations about a variety of stories made me feel joy. Overall, I love seeing past students in school, stores and restaurants and having them stop to say hello. I love when they tell me they miss me and my class. That is how I know that all the love I put into a school day makes it all worth it.”
PORTER COUNTY
WHY TEACHING IS MORE THAN A DAY JOB:
“There is something about coming into work each day to see 20-something smiling faces that are just as excited to see you as you are to see them,” Lauren Mitchell says. “It makes you want to come in every day to hear their stories and share their happiness.” One of her greatest thrills is seeing a student who was struggling overcome their self-doubt and grow in confidence. “After their confidence grows, they run with it. Every time it happens, it reminds me of why I chose this profession. Making a difference in a child’s life, in any way, is such a rewarding feeling. I know that each student I have has made a difference in my life as well.” Mitchell is a graduate of Purdue University
FAVORITE PART OF TEACHING:
Mitchell is used to guiding her students through challenges, but 2020 presented a unique one for her students. She shares
that 2020 will always hold a strange, yet significant, place in her heart. “It was incredible to watch how the students handled
everything that was thrown at them. I have never been more impressed at their determination, flexibility and overall poise in
a tough, complicated situation. They learned how to use new and different aspects of technology and, even though we were virtual a little bit of the time, we still felt as close as ever. Kids are capable of so much, and this situation helped me see that in a new light.”
WHY TEACHING IS MORE THAN A DAY JOB:
Cassie Nay recalls when she was a nervous third-grader starting a new school and how her teacher, Mrs. Shilt, made her feel welcome and comfortable. Mrs. Shilt inspired Nay to become a teacher so she too could help students learn to love school. “I love being the first face the kids see when they enter their very first school,”
Nay says. “I enjoy watching them grow all year long. In kindergarten, kids learn to read. I get to help build that foundation for their love of learning.” Nay’s children also have grown up in the
Yost system, where she has spent 15 years teaching kindergarten: One son graduated from the fifth grade last year and her other son is in third grade at Yost.
FAVORITE PART OF TEACHING:
“My favorite part of my job is watching how excited these kids get when they read their first word,” Nay says. “They light up when they read their first book all by themselves. All of the hard work, along with the hours of planning and prepping, becomes worth it when I see how excited and confident my students become.” Nay says she values the strong relationships she’s built with her students and their families, and she feels blessed by them as well as the talented and supportive teachers, staff and community who surround her.