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This year's 'teacher of the year' loves her job in kindergarten

By CAROL DREILING, Sentinel Staff Writer

When Linda Ferrell speaks of her kindergarten students, her eyes sparkle and her face breaks into a smile
"I am one of the luckiest people to be teaching kindergarten," she says. "Kids that age have such eagerness, honesty and innocence. When they come in the door, they are my kids."
Ferrell was chosen as Teacher of the Year for Unified School District 418. She and four other elementary candidates were nominated by their schools; the final selection came in a district-wide staff vote.
Ferrell explains the passion she has for teaching at this level began many years ago. A graduate of Central Christian College, she earned her bachelor's degree in education at Seattle Pacific College. It was during her days there as a student teacher that she observed a kindergarten class and the first stirrings of what she now calls her passion began.
She married David Ferrell and moved with him to Greenville, Ill. As a newlywed, she worked as a substitute teacher. When the young couple had children, they decided her place was at home with their own children.
In 1982, the family moved back to McPherson, and Ferrell did some substitute teaching for a couple of years. In 1986, she took a part-time job at Lincoln Elementary School, working in gifted education. It was a perfect job; she worked Tuesdays and Thursdays and one-half day on Fridays. She job shared that position for three years; during that time she completed her master's degree in education at Wichita State University. But, somewhere inside her heart pulsed the need to teach kindergarten children.
Eventually a morning kindergarten job opened at Roosevelt Elementary School. Ferrell accepted the position and taught half days for two years.
"I have loved teaching kindergarten ever since," she said.
Roosevelt was the first school in the district to move to all-day kindergarten, and Ferrell was part of that pilot program. But when Eisenhower Elementary School was scheduled to open its doors, Ferrell saw another opportunity.
"It was a new challenge," she said. "I wanted to be in on the ground floor in opening the new school."
At Eisenhower, Ferrell teaches one of the two kindergarten classes.
"I love teaching kindergarten so much," Ferrell said. "I don't plan to quit this until I can't get up off the floor anymore."
She describes her job as both physically and emotionally tiring, but working with children this age is a perfect fit for her.
"The kids amaze you with how much they know," she said. "You wouldn't believe the questions they ask."
If students are going to learn, she says she has to be there to support and to help them. She expects their personal best in all they do.
However, she still challenges her kindergartners to take risks. To encourage her students, she has them learn a special poem:
"Mistakes are good; they help us grow.
They show us what we need to know.
So when you make mistakes, don't cry!
You'll get better if you try!"
Ferrell's class of 19 students is a very special one; they are very eager to learn. Ferrell says the students learn through play activities, working to meet state and national standards in a fun way. One of the more popular activities is studying science with "Dr. Ferrell," complete with "nerdy glasses" and a lab coat.
No two days are the same according to Ferrell. The students often work at tables using a team concept; they have named their tables with familiar mascots like Jayhawks, Jaguars and Dolphins.
They are learning to be independent as well. When it is time to have a class party, the students vote on what they will have. For a recent party, they voted to have pies. Since Ferrell doesn't make pies, she relied on a special volunteer, her mother, to do the baking.
Ferrell gets classroom help from a teacher's aide for 30 minutes each day. Other adult volunteers also work with Ferrell and the students. Edith Shaughnessy is one of those volunteers.
"The children know how much Linda loves them," Shaughnessy said. "That's why she is such a good teacher."
When Ferrell's kindergartners were asked why they thought she was named the best teacher in the schools, several hands waved eagerly.
"Because we're the best kids," replied one pony-tailed girl. "She has the best kids, and we're smart," another girl chimed in.
Ferrell would agree these are the best kids. A good example of this can be found in the class dynamics. One of her students has special needs; the other students are kind and very accepting.
Ferrell said she was very humbled by her selection as the USD 418 Teacher of the Year, noting that many of her colleagues are also qualified for and deserving of the honor. She acknowledges the district leadership and the support of her fellow staff members as vital to her success, but she credits her love of teaching to her fourth-grade teacher.
"She had such an impact on me," Ferrell said. "Since fourth grade, I have tried to be just like her."
A teacher often has an impact on her students long after they leave her classroom; sometimes even the smallest gesture will long be remembered. So it is with Ferrell.
Alex Dalke, a McPherson High School senior, remembers Ferrell's love of her students. He believes she is most deserving of this award.
"One thing I remember," he said, "is this cut-out of a jayhawk I made for her from different pieces of colored paper. She still has that hanging up."
A reception honoring Ferrell along with other nominees -- Linda Graber, Early Childhood Center; Mary Marten, Washington Elementary School; Alice Olander, Roosevelt Elementary School; Kelli Thissen, Lincoln Elementary School -- will be held at the district office from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday.