Monica Gawith, Schilling Elementary preschool teacher, and Matt Gerry, South Middle School music teacher, have been selected as USD 305 Teachers of the Year. They were honored August 23, 2011 by the Salina Board of Education.
As part of their recognition, Gawith and Gerry each received the H.E. and Erma Lee Nuss Teacher of the Year award; personalized watches donated by Randy Johnson, Jostens, and Mary Kindlesparger, Coldwell Banker, Antrim-Piper Wenger Realtors; and gift certificates donated by Showplex Cinemas and Martinelli’s Little Italy.
Each year two teachers are nominated for the Kansas Teacher of the Year program. The awards are sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education and affiliated with the National Teacher of the Year program. For 2011, nominations were sought in the spring and a district nominee was submitted to the state in late March. Regional finalists will be named at a luncheon in their honor here in Salina, September 17. State finalists are named in November.
Secondary Teacher of the Year: Matt Gerry Matt Gerry
Gerry joined South Middle School in 2003 as music, vocal and guitar teacher. At South Middle School, he participated in the Teacher Leadership Academy and organized the district’s first inservice designed for music educators.
Gerry earned his Bachelor’s Degree in music education from Wichita State University, advanced Promethean Board training from Baker University and Kodaly Method Certification from Wichita State University.
Gerry is a strong advocate for students and music. When these two interests come together in his classroom, it is truly magic. “Matt has an exemplary passion for teaching,” said Deb Strong, assistant principal at South Middle School. “He is a kind, caring, committed teacher who gives his heart and soul to his students.” Daily, students in his classroom are inspired and motivated to embark upon a musical journey. His students discover a comprehensive music education experience that creates literate musicians who play and read music, improvise and understand notation.
In addition to the general music classes, Gerry teaches a guitar class that allows twenty-five students per semester to have an opportunity to learn to play guitar. The guitars were funded by a Salina Education Foundation grant for which Gerry applied. The guitar classes now perform on a regular basis at school and within the community. Many students who have not been successful in school have found success in Mr. Gerry’s class.
Known as a trailblazer, Gerry uses various technologies to increase student engagement. His merging of music instruction with technology demonstrates his enthusiasm and innovation – he is always looking for a new way to share his love of music with students.
Having become a go-to person at South Middle School for technology questions, Matt has inserviced other teachers on Promethean Board and Clicker integration. He taught guitar for The Parks and Recreation Department and has been active in theatre and opera productions throughout the region.
Elementary Teacher of the Year
Monica joined the staff of Schilling as a preschool instructor in 2006. She was the founding teacher ofMonica Gawith the Schilling At-Risk preschool.
Monica received her undergraduate degree in elementary education from Kansas Wesleyan University and an early education endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education.
At Schilling, Monica has helped with the school profile by writing narratives and serving on the school improvement committee. She volunteered to arrange school socials and attended PTA meetings. She also assisted with Kindergarten roundup and provided ideas on family engagement.
Monica has a natural gift for teaching. Leigh Hendrix, Schilling Elementary principal, said, “Monica has a general ease in voice. She is patient, kind, and very flexible. She sees where students’ strengths are and effortlessly and effectively integrates those into her lessons.”
She takes great pride in empowering and motivating her students to become responsible individuals who take charge of their learning. “Monica teaches preschool, which is an age where all students love to come to school,” said Hendrix. “She keeps the love of learning alive with creative lessons that spark their curiosity and make them excited for the next day.”
When students first come through the door in the morning she greets every student with a hug and a pat on the back. Monica makes sure to speak with each child individually. Hendrix explains, “Monica forms a bond with her students and their parents. She invites them into the room and to be a part of the classroom. She has a strong ‘family’ connection.” She develops a strong relationship with everyone she works with and treats every student as if he were her own child.
With her colleagues, Monica is known as a quality team player. At collaboration meetings she shares what is working in her class and offers suggestions when another teacher is struggling.