Learning Through Cooperation:
Katie Strelcheck Nominated
for Horizon Award

by Christine Splichal
High fives between kindergarteners are one sign the cooperative learning strategies that Katie Strelcheck adopted are hitting the mark. Strelcheck, who is in her second year teaching at Spring Hill Elementary School (SHES), has shown herself to be a "natural" in the classroom.

Katie Strelcheck

As USD 230's elementary nominee for the Kansas Horizon Award by USD 230, Strelcheck has received kudos for her ability to come into SHES as a novice teacher and quickly establish herself as a respected member of the team.

While admitting that it was sometimes challenging to be a new teacher, Strelcheck found inspiration in the phrase, "I think I can," from the children’s storybook, "The Little Engine That Could."

"I found that the more I believed in myself, the more successful I became," Strelcheck said. "I was fortunate to be surrounded by an experienced kindergarten team and benefited from their ideas. I eventually started to incorporate my own ideas into the classroom, and gained confidence as the year proceeded."

Her hope for all new teachers would be that they remember the famous words, "I think I can," when they step into their new classroom. No doubt, the same applies for each new student.