Lincoln Elementary first-grade teacher Joan Moore thinks of her class as family. Moore was recently named USD 418 Teacher of the Year.

By Anne Hassler, assistant editor

Tue Nov 18, 2008, 08:53 AM CST

Being named Teacher of the Year by her peers in Unified School District 418 makes Lincoln Elementary first-grade teacher Joan Moore proud, but she is quick to share the glory with her fellow teachers.

"The list of other Teacher of the Year finalists was outstanding. What an honor," Moore said.
Moore has spent the last 17 years teaching in McPherson after spending three years in Hays where she received her undergraduate degree from Fort Hays State University.

More went on to receiver her master's degree from Wichita State University in 2001 and did her post-graduate studies with Superintendent Dr. Randy Watson in reading instruction.
Talking to her it's easy to see her enthusiasm for reading.

"Reading is the base for all other subject areas," Moore said.
Moore helped implement the MTSS (multi-tier system support) program at Lincoln Elementary that was a drive from Kansas Secretary of Education Dr. Alexa Posny.

MTSS is a coherent continuum of evidence-based, system-wide practices to support a rapid response to academic and behavioral needs, with frequent data-based monitoring for instructional decision-making to empower each Kansas student to achieve high standards, according to the KDE Web site.

What that means is each child receives first-tier instruction, in Lincoln Elementary’s case it is 90-minute reading sessions.

Children who are still being challenged in reading then receive Tier 2 time with reading instructors and possible Tier 3 time with one-on-one instruction.

Children are evaluated and a team of teachers, aides and paraeducators try to find the best solution for each child to become successful readers.

"One thing we've learned is that early intervention makes a difference. Twenty minutes in small group instruction with kindergartners is equal to two hours of one-on-one instruction with a fourth-grade student," Moore said.

For Moore the best part of MTSS is the weekly Professional Learning Committee (PLC) where para-educators, teachers and reading tutors come together to share ideas.

"We really are a community of learners here. It's a wonderful thing to be a part of," Moore said.

Moore comes from a family of teachers with six aunts, sisters and a grandmother who are all teachers. She thanks her family, particularly her children Ryan Gentry and his wife Jenny who are traveling pediatric nurses and her daughter Rachel Ewing, a physician's assistant and her husband Dusty who live in Wichita.

"My two children put up with all the stresses that come with teaching. I've never had one boring day teaching," Moore said with a laugh.

Still she encourages anyone considering a career in education calling it "an incredible career choice."

Moore will be recognized at a reception at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the district's central offices, 514 N. Main St.