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TEACHER SPOTLIGHT
Published:
February 10, 2010
Every week, The Cranberry Eagle will spotlight a local educator, providing a glimpse into what makes them tick.
QUESTION: Why did you become a teacher?
ANSWER: I absolutely love working with children. Each day I come into the classroom, I am so thankful to have a career that I like so much. My first career was in business, and everyone thought that I was so lucky because "being a buyer for a large department store is so glamorous." But there was this humanitarian side of me that wasn't being fulfilled. During high school and college, I had always done volunteer work with children, but when I entered the business world there wasn't the time anymore. I knew I would need to get back to working with children at some point, and that point was about 17 years ago.
QUESTION: What is one sentence that sums up what you believe is the key to teaching?
ANSWER: "The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind."
— Kahlil Gibran
Kahlil Gibran has always been one of my favorite philosophers. In this quote it says everything I believe about teaching.
QUESTION: When you're not teaching, you most likely can be found doing what?
ANSWER: For the last three years, that has consisted of coursework and writing at Duquesne University. On Oct. 16, I successfully defended my doctoral dissertation in Instructional Leadership. Now you can find me writing or presenting my research at conferences. The latest conference was in China, where I was invited to present on the dispositions of teachers and their use of technology as a tool within the classroom.
QUESTION: What is one thing about you that likely would surprise your students?
ANSWER: I'm not sure what that would be. Students in third grade are just realizing that their teacher is more than just a teacher and can be many other things. So when they meet me at the store, or meet my family members when they come into school, that is a surprise to them.
ANNE KOCH
SCHOOL: Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School
GRADE: Third
EXPERIENCE: 17 years
HOMETOWN: Baltimore and Oil City
RESIDENCE: Harmony
FAMILY: Four children, a son-in-law and two grandchildren
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