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.
June’s featured teachers are, Ms. Hannigan, from the elementary school and Ms. Putterman Hoffmann and Mr. Christian from the middle/high school.
Ms. Kasey Hannigan
Berlin Elementary Kindergarten Teacher
1. What is your favorite memory from school?
I went to a small school with the same kids from grades K-8. Our graduation was so special because after 9 years we were separating to different high schools. I still hold many of those friendships today. BCSD reminds me a lot of my school growing up.
2. What would the students be surprised to find out about you? What is one of your hidden talents?
What would students be surprised to learn about me? I have never wanted to be anything but a teacher my entire life. I used to dress up, wear my mom heels, carry around a coffee cup, make up my own worksheets, students names with a gradebook and I had a classroom sized chalkboard (yes chalkboard) in my house to play with! Hidden talents would be softball, I won a pop fly competition in high school. I also love karaoke!
3. What makes a ‘good day’ at school?
Nothing is better than having a day with an “A-HA” moment. When the spark comes alive and something that someone has been struggling with finally comes to them.
4. What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my child(ren) on a daily basis after a day at school?
What is something that happened today that you would want to happen again tomorrow? What made you happy today? Did you help a friend today?
5. What are the best resources that we should consider using to support our child in the classroom?
Some of the best resources are free. The best resource is YOU! Talking to your child about their day, practicing year round skills in a fun way at home, reading with or encouraging reading with your child and most importantly keeping your child accountable at home will carry into the classroom.
Encouraging positivity, hard work and respect can go a long way in a child’s education.
6. 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 to Antarctica. Of course, providing all the necessary means to survive! I LOVE to teach about arctic animals and their adaptations to that climate. There are so many things to discover and learn about in Antarctica.
7. What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?
I think I would go with a survival guide! I am a people person so I would NOT like to be on a desert island alone.
Ms. Melissa Putterman Hoffmann
Berlin Middle/High School Social Worker
1. What is your favorite memory from school?
My favorite memory from high school was being in school shows: working together in rehearsals, and feeling the panic and then pride on opening night, and of course being sad when it was over.
2. What would the students be surprised to find out about you? What is one of your hidden talents?
I perform in area theater, and look forward to returning to the stage this year. But a hidden interest is that I am still trying to grow a vegetable garden without either killing the plants or having them eaten by “animal visitors.”
3. What makes a ‘good day’ at school?
I really enjoy problem-solving. When students or adults feel better after being angry or upset, I feel great.
4. What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my child(ren) on a daily basis after a day at school?
This is a challenging question, since at least one of my own children still is a chronic “yes,” “no,” or “I don’t know” person. I think kids might have something to share if asked what the best and the most challenging part of their day was , and why.
5. What are the best resources that we should consider using to support our child in the classroom?
Field trips, guest speakers, and perhaps students visiting from other schools – these are a window into the world beyond our school.
6. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
I would be torn between traveling to a Third World country, where they could experience conditions that so many people in the world live with, and to Australia, where they could see wildlife and scenery they have never seen before.
7. What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?
I would have to bring two books: an Agatha Christie mystery and The Yearling
Mr. Matthew Christian
Berlin High School Science Teacher
1. What is your favorite memory from school?
My favorite memories are of performing in concerts and musicals.
2. What would the students be surprised to find out about you?
I am an avid cyclist and I spend many hours every week on a bicycle. Even during the winter.
3. What makes a ‘good day’ at school?
When I can tell my students learned something new and had fun doing it.
4. What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my child(ren) on a daily basis after a day at school?
“What did you see/hear/learn today that made you think the most?” Ask me a question about something that happened in school today.”
5. What are the best resources that we should consider using to support our child in the classroom?
Anything that gets them to read on their own. If a student cannot answer a homework question, ask them to write three questions they will ask about the problem when they return to class.
6. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
To the ocean: Florida, Hawaii and the Red Sea
7. What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?
Jurassic Park 😉