Top Teachers
Photos by Shane Wynn
Blues legend B.B. King oncesaid, “The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.” -Blues legend B.B. King
When it comes to a long-lasting treasure like learning, only the best teachers are able to make an impact on their students’ lives.
Think back to your school days. Which teachers were your favorites: the ones who simply assigned homework and taught the curriculum, or the ones who challenged you, made you wonder and encouraged you to ask ‘Why’?
It takes a certain type of person to be a great teacher: someone who loves what he or she does for a living, is committed to his or her students’ education and is a lifelong learner.
This year, two local teachers have been nominated by their principals for their commitment to our children and our community. We salute their boundless energy, unwavering patience and never-ending optimism. Thank you!
Ruth Dietzel
Saint Paul School
Teaches: Full-day kindergarten, all subjects
Years spent teaching: 5 years
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
“After a successful career in business, I decided to go to school and become a teacher. Although I didn’t become a teacher until I was almost 50, I feel like I was always meant to be a teacher. I wanted to teach in the elementary grades because I wanted to have a positive impact on the lives of young children. My goal each day is for each of my students to feel safe enough in our classroom environment to make mistakes; to be inspired to learn more about the world around them, and to be excited about coming to school and learning each day.”
Who was your most influential teacher and why?
“The most influential teacher I remember was my 8th-grade science teacher. His name was Mr. Chiara, and he had just moved to Fairbanks, Alaska. He loved science but what really got him excited was sharing his new experiences with the Alaskan way of life with us. I grew up hunting and fishing — it was a way of life. Mr. Chiara made the mundane task of cleaning fish interesting when he taught us, using salmon and Northern Pike, about the digestive system and how the respiratory system worked. When other classes were dissecting frogs, we were dissecting a moose heart. He really understood how to make our environment come alive and engage us in authentic learning.”
What are the biggest challenges facing teachers today?
“The biggest challenges facing teachers today are meeting the demands of a wide range of abilities in such a way that students are neither bored nor frustrated by new concepts. In kindergarten, some students start the year with a strong knowledge base of the alphabet, while others struggle to recognize the letters in their own name. Although this achievement gap can be seen throughout a child’s school career, when a child is given the opportunity to be successful within a nurturing classroom environment, a child who was at one point struggling, can be just as successful as the high achieving students. The challenge for teachers is to motivate those who struggle, while engaging those who excel easily.”
What has been your most inspiring moment in teaching?
“I’m so blessed to have so many inspiring moments teaching kindergarten children. Nothing can compare to seeing children’s faces light up the first time they read a sentence, a page or a book all by themselves. When children are able to read, an entire world of possibilities, imagination and inspiration comes to life.”
What’s the difference between a good teacher and a great teacher?
“A good teacher teaches what the state and school district requires students to know. A great teacher teaches above and beyond the requirements and inspires students to want to learn more on their own.”
Do you have any advice for the next generation of teachers?
“Don’t get hung up on the standards. Always be thinking outside the box, and pay attention to what your current class of students is interested in. Each class has its own dynamics. In order to maximize your students’ learning potential, you need to follow their lead and adjust your lessons accordingly.”
What do you like to do in your spare time?
“I like to spend time with my four children and husband of 28 years. I enjoy reading, playing cards, scrap booking and perusing book sales.”
Betty Indriolo
St. Sebastian School
Teaches: 7th and 8th grade science
Years spent teaching: 12 years
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
“I worked in industry for 10 years before going back to school to earn my teaching certificate. Rather than just work to help produce a material product, I wanted to help children as they grow into young adults.”
Who was your most influential teacher and why?
“I really never had a favorite teacher. I always just liked school and the process of learning.”
What are the biggest challenges facing teachers today?
“In this fast-paced Internet age of instant information, it’s difficult to convey the concept of delayed gratification to students. Not all learning, not all things, can be achieved in a short time span. To be successful, people sometimes need to be willing to work toward long-range goals.”
What has been your most inspiring moment in teaching?
“My most inspiring moment is when I see excitement in a student’s face because he or she is enjoying the learning activity or when students suddenly understand a specific concept in a lesson!”
What’s the difference between a good teacher and a great teacher?
“Good teachers pass on information to their students in their lessons; great teachers teach students how to become analytical thinkers and self-motivated lifelong learners.”
Do you have any advice for the next generation of teachers?
“Be flexible in work practices, and realize that best practices in education will always be changing.”
What do you like to do in your spare time?
“I like to read, garden and travel, and I’m an avid birdwatcher.”