Berlin Central School District introduces a new monthly highlight on its teachers. It is Teacher Feature, teachers from the elementary, middle and high schools will be presented each month.
BCSD will quote their responses to a light-hearted questionnaire. This is an opportunity for the teachers at BCSD to share a little about themselves as well as offer some advice from a teacher’s perspective.
Here are our first four teachers, Ms. Katherine Labnon from the elementary school, Ms. Donna Kelly from the middle school and from the high school Ms. Annette Bell and Ms. Eileen Roder.
Ms. Labnon Berlin Elementary General Music and Choral Director
Ms. Labnon – BES Music and Choral Director
What is your favorite memory from your days as a student?
In 4th grade, my friends and I won second place in our school’s talent show. We choreographed our own dance to MC Hammer’s U Can’t Touch This!
What would the students be surprised to find out about you? What is one of your hidden talents?
My students might be surprised to find out that I love to kayak. I would be in my kayak every day if I could!
What makes a ‘good day’ at school?
I am satisfied at the end of the school day if I know that I tried my hardest and encouraged my students to do the same (even if it wasn’t perfect!).
What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my child(ren) on a daily basis after a day at school?
I like to ask children what the “highlight” of their day was. It is important for all of us to focus on the positive.
What are the best resources that we should consider using to support our child in the classroom?
Never underestimate a good book. I think that we should read to our students (and ourselves!) every chance we get.
If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
I would love to take my students to a Broadway musical. Aladdin is one of my favorites. That would be an awesome field trip!
What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?
I LOVE mystery books and one of my favorites is called “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie. It’s a great rainy night read!
Ms. Kelly Berlin Middle School Special Education
Ms. Kelly – BMS Special Education
What is your favorite memory from your days as a student?
My favorite memory was seeing my mother come to my school to volunteer. She was very busy but always made time to help out in my classes throughout my elementary, middle, and high school years.
What would the students be surprised to find out about you? What is one of your hidden talents?
I spent my childhood summers in Ireland. My father is from Limerick, Ireland. My aunts, uncles, and cousins still live in southern Ireland. One of my hidden talents is that I play guitar.
What makes a ‘good day’ at school?
Many things make a good day at school. I love to see my students (past and present) arrive every morning. I love when my students do their best and participate in class. I love when my students help each other out and are kind to everyone they encounter. I love when my students get excited about learning.
What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my child(ren) on a daily basis after a day at school?
I always asked my sweet sons questions like: “How was your day?”, “What interesting things did you learn?”, “How can I make your day better tomorrow?”
What are the best resources that we should consider using to support our child in the classroom?
I feel reading with your children every night and talking about what you read together is so helpful.
If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
I would take them to countries where there is more poverty and less freedom. This would show them how fortunate they are to live in the United States. This may also motivate them to live a life of service to help others.
What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?
I love to read thrillers and mysteries, probably a book written by Stephen King or James Patterson.
Ms. Roder Berlin High School Special Education
Ms. Roder – BHS Special Education
What is your favorite memory from your days as a student?
My 2nd grade teacher at Stephentown Elementary. Her name was Phylis Lindsey. She was a family friend as well as a teacher. She was so kind and caring to all students. I remember her making everyone feel welcome in her classroom.
What would the students be surprised to find out about you? What is one of your hidden talents?
I love to watch and attend auto racing events but mainly sprint car racing. My son Matt drives a sprint car and races on many tracks in the northeast. Hmmm… hidden talent – not really a hidden talent but I love to sing in the classroom along with my partner Ms. Bell.
What makes a ‘good day’ at school?
A good day at school is when the students come into school smiling and leave smiling. Also a good day for me is knowing that I have made a difference in a students’ life.
What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my child(ren) on a daily basis after a day at school?
How was your day? Can you share a couple things about your day? Is there anything I can help you with?
What are the best resources that we should consider using to support our child in the classroom?
Positive reinforcements, communication with teachers, Schoology
If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
I am not a huge technology person so I would go on a field trip to the Adirondacks to a cabin. We would not have any modern conveniences. We would cook over an open fire, take hikes, talk, relax and enjoy the simple things in life.
What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?
Any book by Jan Brett! She is my favorite author. I love her illustrations and the messages she shares through her stories. I was lucky enough to go to a book signing and meet her.
Ms. Bell Berlin High School Special Education
Ms. Bell – BHS Special Education
What is your favorite memory from your days as a student?
My favorite memory from school was Balloon Day in elementary school. Whoever’s balloon went farthest would win money and I won one year. I loved that $5.
What would the students be surprised to find out about you? What is one of your hidden talents?
I think most know that I graduated from Berlin, but I’m not sure they know that I had many of the same teachers they’ve had (until this year anyway). I’m not sure it’s a hidden talent but I like to sing and be funny.
What makes a ‘good day’ at school?
A good day at school is any day that my kids have been successful in any way! So, pretty much every day!
What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my child(ren) on a daily basis after a day at school?
How do you feel your day went? Tell me two good things about your day and one frustration, if any. I feel it’s important for students to voice frustrations, but it’s more important for them to focus on the positives.
What are the best resources that we should consider using to support our child in the classroom?
Your best resources are your child’s teacher and Schoology. Check in with both frequently. The better the relationship you have with teachers, the better team your child has.
If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
I would love to take students on a road trip and visit as many of the continental states as possible. I think it’s very important for people to see the wonderful country we live in. It’s so amazing that every state has such unique sights.
What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?
Oh, I’d need way more than one book. It’s important for everyone to find a genre that interests them. Books that hook them and that they never want to put down. That didn’t happen for me until high school. I love romance novels, autobiographies and biographies!