Elementary school teacher Krista Patterson routinely embraces one key principle she feels helps her connect with students on a deeper level, improving results inside several County classrooms.
The Grade 1-2 teacher at Stuart Baker Elementary School was recently presented with an Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) achievement award, recognizing outstanding, exemplary and unique contributions to students and the wider school community. It’s awarded to one Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) teacher each year.
The honour was for Patterson’s work at Cardiff Elementary School, where she taught from 2016 until September – most recently in the Kindergarten class.
“I’m a pretty positive person, so I try to bring that to my teaching. I’m always approaching everything from a strength-based lens, so looking at what the students can do rather than what they can’t do. Over time, you get better at helping the child do their best,” Patterson said.
Creating an environment where students are treated firmly and fairly, with equity always top of mind, has been the difference for Patterson. She’s realized, too, that to truly reach all students takes a variety of learning mediums and methods. Patterson said she’s constantly thinking about ways to keep her classes exciting and engaging.
She taught students with a wide-range of abilities – most were at regular grade level, while others were non-verbal or on the autism spectrum, requiring a different approach.
“Lesson planning often looks like ‘OK, other students may be able to access or show their learning, but what about those who don’t use words? You have visual learners, auditory learners, kinesthetic learners. So, I make sure I have a piece of everything…to try to incorporate pictures, songs and movement into things.
“Not everybody can learn from sitting and listening,” Patterson said.
When dealing with behaviour, the teacher has found success implementing a reward system encouraging kids to stay on the straight and narrow. Setting clear expectations, being consistent, and having an instructional routine has helped curb issues before they become a major problem.
One of Patterson’s strengths – and why she was singled out as the sole OPSBA award recipient board wide – is what she does outside of the classroom. TLDSB trustee Esther Childs, at an Oct. 22 meeting, said.
Patterson was nominated by a parent in the Cardiff community for going above and beyond with students.
Asked what that entails, Patterson said she routinely connects families with supports in the community, such as Point in Time and Five Counties children’s services. She’s been involved with various collection efforts, gathering winter clothes for children in need.
The teacher has also donated books to families and made arrangements with food banks in the area to ensure there’s always food at students’ homes.
Patterson is also a prolific learner, routinely registering in professional development courses to improve her teaching methods.
She completed a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) workshop so she could better support a student living with the disability. She’s also taken several special needs-based classes.
Born and raised in Haliburton County, Patterson said she feels proud to be making a difference in her community every day.
“It feels nice to know my families have felt supported, because that’s always one of my main goals. This has been a very humbling experience, knowing this award happened because someone who has trusted me with their child thinks I helped, it means so much,” Patterson said.
