Sue Maloneys approach to teaching could almost be called paradoxical. On the one hand, she feels its very important to have her second-graders work together in pairs and groups, almost like a family. At the same time, the Mill Hill Elementary teacher knows its important to treat each of her charges as an individual.
Mrs. Maloney understands and respects the individuality of each of the children in her class. She is able to work with each of them based on their personalities and levels, wrote parent Mary Mayer, who nominated Sue for our Star Teacher award. "She has a way of making them shine in and out of her classroom.
Sue has now spent 12 years at Mill Hill, all in second grade. And through the years, shes realized the importance of discovering each childs unique learning style. One way she does this is by getting to know each childs interests and relating them to classroom lessons. But since her kids are still finding out their strengths in the classroom, its her job to draw those out, while balancing out their abilities.
Thats another reason why its not boring, Sue says. Youre looking at the academics through several different lenses throughout the day.
And though Sue might be a one-of-a-kind teacher herself, shes quick to point out that her job is a group project as well. She acknowledges that her colleagues and Mill Hills parents all help her do her job. I think its true of all Fairfield, Sue says, that we have very supportive families.
When asked if she would ever consider leaving the second grade, Sue doesnt hesitate to shoot the idea down. In what other grade would she turn from the hard memorization of teaching addition and subtraction to the down-to-earth science of geology in the same day. And where else can she open up new worlds by getting kids into non-fiction reading, and then finish out the year by taking them to Southport Beach for a day learning about wildlife?
Its a different job every day, every year, Sue says. Theres never a dull moment.
Who do you think should win Fairfields Star Teacher award? Submit suggestions for teachers to profile to [email protected].
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