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Congratulations to Kaitlyn Hoyle, May's G.E.M. Award Recipient. Language Arts Teacher at Wamego Middle School

 

I am so impressed with Kaitlyn Hoyle and thankful for her impact here at Wamego Middle School. Mrs. Hoyle has astonishing leadership abilities in addition to her commanding yet relatable presence in the classroom. The learning she plans, the environment she creates, and the friendships she fosters are all incredible. Her heart for excellence and value for people is evident by her teaching; she always goes the extra mile.

The incredible energy and effort she puts into her students must be recognized. When students walk through her door she prioritizes their need to feel welcome and intentionally focuses her on the success of each and every one of them.

Her dedication is astounding, evident by the extra work she puts into her classroom objectives, practices, modifications, and follow-up. I honestly don’t know how she is able to accomplish it all.

As a special education teacher, I know first-hand that all students are given the attention they need to succeed. The more challenging the need, the more energy she gives.

It is a very unique quality in a teacher to do so much more than what is required.

For example, she is always willing to help, whether it be a student needs a time after school, needs a schedule adjustment within her room, or even to help a teacher with a technology concern. Relationally, she provides those hurting students with some “extra TLC”—Mrs. Hoyle is right there, more than willing.

Professionally, Mrs. Hoyle is a leader in our building. She is on numerous committees and always welcomes a chance to mentor a new teacher. She sacrifices in order to ensure that every member of her team understands the tasks at hand and is empowered to face them. Her hyper-organized mind manifests in the way she is able to recognize problems, collaborate to solve it, and delegate when necessary. If Mrs. Hoyle sees a need, she will step up and take it on. We would not be where we are today without her Going the Extra Mile.

 

 

Thank you to our Sponsors:

Gene’s Heartland Foods

Paramour Coffee

Friendship House

Short Stop

Spirits of 76

Brown’s Chevrolet Buick

Kaw Valley State Bank

Gambino’s pizza.

Sparrow Specialty Coffee

Daylight Donuts

 

Pictured is the Wamego Middle School "We The People" Team that placed 2nd Overall at the Kansas "We The People" State Middle School Competition in Manhattan. Members of the team were recognized at the May BOE meeting included Camille Taylor, Maddox Stockebrand,  Hannah Earl, Colin Donahue, Boden Fultz, Josephine Benson, Kyla McAdam, Dagan Fultz, and Hailey Butler.  Not pictured Pyper Paddock.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx2liIYAe9c&t=21s

 

Central Elementary school demonstrates the purpose behind National Teacher Appreciation Week 

 

Special education teachers changed Nate’s life, and Nate changed theirs. Now, he’s memorialized in the school where he loved learning and taught life lessons to those around him.

 

That’s the takeaway from “Nate’s Nook: A Special Education Story”, a touching video produced by the K-State College of Education in celebration of National Teacher Appreciation Week. The story is about a little boy, Nathaniel “Nate” Earl, and the extraordinary professionals – principal Teri Dow, special education teacher Jillian Tinkel and CNA para professionals Kelli Stewart and Harley Tyler – at Central Elementary School in Wamego. The story is being told by an overwhelmingly grateful father.  

 

Rusty Earl, video producer for the K-State College of Education, first came in contact with the special education professionals at West Elementary when he and his wife, Michelle, and kids Hyrum, Hannah and Nate moved to Kansas from Idaho in 2011. (Naomi joined the family in 2013.) Their oldest son, Hyrum, was autistic, and they inquired about the services the school offered.

 

 “Our first team meeting was game-changing,” Rusty Earl said. “We were blown away with the enthusiasm, knowledge and resources available for Hyrum, and his first semester was tremendously successful. “When the teachers and staff learned about Nate, who was old enough to attend the special ed preschool, they began the difficult task of convincing us to send Nate to school despite his challenging health problems.”

 

The couple had never even considered sending Nate to school as he had profound chronic medical issues. Born with a chromosome abnormality that made him unique to himself, Nate was unable to walk, eat or speak. The teachers were undeterred.

 

“After seeing the personalized and attentive care given to Hyrum and after negotiating an acceptable level of medical training for the staff, we hesitantly sent Nate to Central Elementary on a trial basis,” Earl said. “He required many accommodations, but every need was met with dignity, foresight and a never-ending well of creativity.”

 

By all accounts, Nate enjoyed school. He thrived, and thoroughly enjoyed his interactions with the staff and students, and the teachers and students loved him. The family praised the well-designed special education program staffed by loving, capable teachers, para professionals and other support staff. However, over his six years at the school, Nate’s medical condition deteriorated, and in June 2018, he passed away.

 

But that’s not the end of story. Plans were soon under way to memorialize Nate at Central.  After considering several ideas, the school settled on making a cheerful spot, “Nate’s Nook”, at the center of the school where students could walk by and give Nate’s handprint a high-five. A welcoming bench invites student to rest, read or play, and Nate’s mom made several pillows out of some of his favorite blankets and shirts.

 

The school had the big reveal last month.

“They invited us to see Nate’s Nook and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” Earl said. “What a great gesture of love to our son and to all the kids who will visit Nate’s Nook. We feel richly blessed to live in a community and state that values all kids regardless of their abilities. We know Nate was truly loved by the staff at Central Elementary.” 

Debbie Mercer, dean of the K-State College of Education, said special education teachers are the greatest need in Kansas and she hopes Nate’s story motivates more people to consider the profession.

“Educators deal with highs and lows, and I can’t think of anything more difficult than the loss of a child,” Mercer said. “But stories like Nate’s shine a light on all we can do as educators – even through the heartbreak – and we hope it inspires others to pursue a career in special education.”

 

With our continued message to our students about having a growth mindset about their intelligence....we need to model for and remind our students (and ourselves) that stretching beyond what is easy and sure...is where our potential is found!

 

Summer Food Program Feeds Kids For Free

WAMEGO – With summer right around the corner, it’s time to think about keeping children eating healthy while school is out. COMMUNITY HEALTH MINISTRY provides free meals to children during the summer. 

This summer, meals will be served at WAMEGO HIGH SCHOOL on MONDAY - FRIDAY at 12PM – 1PM.  There are no income requirements or registration.  Any child under age 19 may come to eat.  For more information contact COMMUNITY HEALTH MINISTRY at 785-456-7872.

Each year, the United States Department of Agriculture partners with local organizations like COMMUNITY HEALTH MINISTRY to provide free meals to children when school is out for the summer.  Any child under age 18 may come and eat.  For more information about the Summer Food Service Program in Kansas, visit www.kn-eat.org/SFSP/SFSP_Menus/SFSP_Promotion.htm.