Easton kindergarten teacher a finalist for Pa. Teacher of the Year
A kindergarten teacher at Paxinosa Elementary School is among 12 finalists for the 2021 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.
Kerri Markert, 30, has been working at the school in Easton’s West Ward for three years. She previously taught kindergarten at Robert Clemente Charter School in Allentown and first grade at the Manarah Islamic Academy in Whitehall.
Markert said the mother of one of her students submitted the nomination, in Spanish, last year. Markert said she tries to reach all her students, whether they’re auditory, visual or kinesthetic learners.
She also connects with them outside the academic setting.
“I’m the teacher out on the playground having races and playing tag, and having athletic activities and running,” she said.
Paxinosa Principal Elise Jones said Markert goes above and beyond for her students.
“She is very dedicated,” Jones said. “She stops at nothing to make sure her students have what they need whether that be academically inside the classroom or outside the classroom.”
Markert has used donations to help her students and their families while school is closed. She’s sent them cleaning supplies, school supplies and care packages. She includes her students’ siblings, for example sending diapers and wipes if there’s a baby at home. Once a week she does a lottery and sends a pizza to the winner’s home.
She’s also been at Paxinosa while the school made changes to its reading program. Before school was closed, 87% of the students were reading on grade level, Jones said.
The state will announce the 2021 Teacher of the Year in December.
The 2021 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year finalists are:
Andrea Baney —Danville Area School District
Debra Barrick — Selinsgrove Area School District
Nicole Darroch — Ambridge Area School District
Kathleen Dickensheets — Hampton Township School District
Jessica Fellin — Penns Valley Area School District
Gerald Kaplan — Loyalsock Township School District
Caitlin Keiper — New Hope-Solebury School District
Denise Leigh — McGuffey School District
Kerri Lynn Markert — Easton Area School District
Elizabeth Raff — Penn Manor School District
Katie Wisnosky — Tunkhannock Area School District
Hollie Woodard — Council Rock School District
Morning Call reporter Michelle Merlin can be reached at 610-820-6533 or at mmerlin@mcall.com.