Berlin Central School District’s monthly Teacher Feature highlights teachers from the elementary, middle and high schools.

BCSD will quote the featured teachers 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.

May’s featured teachers are, Mrs. Walsh from the elementary school and Ms. Eliashuk and Mr. Gould from the middle/high school.

 

Mrs. Christine Walsh

Elementary Science and RTI Math Teacher

 

1. What is your favorite memory from school?  

My favorite memory from school is when the Berlin 8th grade team took our students to Adirondack Extreme to work on team building. Hearing students that wouldn’t normally spend time together at school; recognize that and encourage each other through the course was a spectacular moment.

2. What would the students be surprised to find out about you? What is one of your hidden talents? 

Students might be surprised to know I like going on ropes courses.  A hidden talent of mine, years ago I used to dance en pointe.

3. What makes a ‘good day’ at school? 

A ‘good day’ is when my students have those ‘aha’ moments with whatever topic we’re learning about at that time.

4. What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my child(ren) on a daily basis after a day at school? 

I think some of the best questions we can ask our children after school are:

  • Did you do something nice for someone today/or did someone do something nice for you?
  • What was your favorite/best thing you learned about today?

 

5. What are the best resources that we should consider using to support our child in the classroom?

While there are many resources available on the internet to support our children; and they can help explain or help with practice of skills, I think the best resources we can use to support our children in classrooms is to provide opportunities for them to explore their environment;  time to be creative & use their imaginations; read/be read to/write stories and finally don’t underestimate the value of having conversations and listening to what interests them and find opportunities to support interests they may have.

6. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?  

Some of my current students have not had the opportunity to explore the tropical ocean and large beaches. I think they would enjoy seeing a tropical destination since it’s so different from where we live.

7. What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?  

JRR Tolkein’s, Lord of the Rings series.

 

 

Ms. Leslie Eliashuk

BMHS Music Teacher,

Choral Director and Dramateers Director

1. What is your favorite memory from school?  

Being a part of all of the plays and musicals.

2. What would the students be surprised to find out about you? What is one of your hidden talents?

I love playing tennis and baking (not together, that would be challenging).

3. What makes a ‘good day’ at school? 

Having students who LOVE to participate! Even if it’s not 100% addressing the topic at hand-I would rather have some conversation than no conversation at all.

4. What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my child(ren) on a daily basis after a day at school? 

What was your favorite part of the day? So oftentimes, we focus on the mundane or routine parts (what homework do you have, what did you learn, did you bring everything home, etc) Try to find the positive in each and every day.

5. What are the best resources that we should consider using to support our child in the classroom?

For me, any example of live music exposure is important-taking the kids to outdoor musical events, listening to your child practice their instrument, singing songs with them, playing a variety of music.

6. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?  

I had such an amazing time performing and learning about music of Ireland I would probably do a musical tour of Ireland and Scotland!

7. What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?  

Anything by Ruth Ware!

 

 

Mr. Bob Gould

BHS Social Studies

 

1. What is your favorite memory from school?

I made the varsity soccer team as a freshman, it wasn’t making the team that was my favorite, it was being a teammate.  I have always valued being a teammate.  I was bullied a bit in middle school, and making that team helped me find myself.

2. What would the students be surprised to find out about you? 

I have a bit of a green thumb, I like gardening. I love visiting gardens, the different designs and colors. Don’t ask me which plant is what, I don’t know, but I choose plants based on color and structure and go with it.

3. What makes a ‘good day’ at school?

Snow?

4. What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my child(ren) on a daily basis after a day at school?

Did you try to make a difference today?  Either for yourself or someone else?

5. What are the best resources that we should consider using to support our child in the classroom?

I think leaving them alone a bit to make decisions in a safe environment so they can practice the skill of making decisions and learning to live with them.

6. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?

Normandy, France

7. What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?

Robinson Crusoe