Beth Kaltsulas Hometown: Vermillion, SD Education: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Master of Arts in Elementary Education with a Middle School Endorsement Title/School Currently Teaching at: 6th Grade Math at Yankton Middle School Years I have been teaching: 30 Family: Husband, Tom and 2 sons: Neil and his wife, Maggie, and Thad Growing up I wanted to be: Teacher or Accountant First job: Walking beans and detasseling corn for my Dad and babysitting my 9 younger siblings Prized possession: My family All-time favorite movie: Last of the Mohicans Best book I’ve read recently: The Light Between Oceans Favorite author: Nicholas Sparks Hobbies: Walking, reading, stitching, quilting, camping Three words that best describe me: Responsible, accountable, and happy Why I chose teaching as a career: Teaching just came naturally because I was the oldest of 10 kids; my parents encouraged us older children to show or teach the younger siblings how to do things. 4-H and church were other experiences where I was asked to teach. Greatest thing that has changed about teaching since I started is: technology. Technology has affected teaching by: better connecting my students with the world and making math classes interactive in different ways. My favorite teacher was: Too many to list... People would be surprised to know I: have zip-lined in Jamaica, I was high school homecoming queen, and I was a 10-year 4-Her. I’m proud that: our 6th graders work hard to learn math concepts, show compassion for the fellow classmates, and work to be responsible every day. The most interesting place I’ve traveled to: Washington D.C. Future goal: Continue and keep up with the latest technology. The best thing about my job is: witnessing the joy when my students learn something new. Jayne Taylor Hometown: Hastings, NE Education: BA from University of Florida Title/School Currently Teaching at: 3rd Grade Teacher at St. Agnes Years I have been teaching: 31 Family: My husband, Rick, and I have been married for 41 years. We have three children who live in Vermillion, Storm Lake, IA, and Vail, CO, and we have 7 grandchildren. Growing up I wanted to be: a teacher. First job: I worked at a children’s day facility for developmentally and physically challenged children during my high school years. Prized possession: My family All-time favorite movie: So many to choose from: Ghandi, An Affair to Remember, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken Best movie I’ve seen recently: The Long, Long Trailer Best book I’ve read recently: Land of the Burnt Thigh Favorite author: Willa Cather Hobbies: Reading, embroidery, jigsaw puzzles, and playing with my grandchildren every chance I get. Greatest fear: Fire and car accidents Pet peeve: Hearing incorrect grammar and people not saying please and thank you. Three words that best describe me: Organized, cheerful, and motivated. Why I chose teaching as a career: I did not choose it. It chose me! Whenever I played school with my siblings, I was always the teacher, and I would only let them be my students! Greatest thing that has changed about teaching since I started is: Technology! I use it every day, and it has enhanced my teaching so much. Before technology took hold, I was worried about becoming complacent as a teacher, boring my students and myself! Technology has affected teaching by: bringing the real world into the classroom. Technology allows students to relate to learning through their current way of interacting with the world. Name one thing you wish parents would do more: I wish they would spend more time in conversation with their children. Parents are extremely busy with their professions, raising children, keeping those children involved in personal interests and activities, and balancing it with the influence of electronic devices. I admire them for balancing it all. I hope they can have dinner conversations a few times a week, and talk to each other in the car. Name one thing you wish parents would do less: stop texting and talking when their children are present and wanting to talk. My favorite teacher was: Miss Edwards, my 4th grade teacher. She was energetic and organized. She taught me so many things in one year, including square dancing. People would be surprised to know I: have lived in 13 different states. I also have an unpublished children’s book in my basement that I wrote and am waiting on adding my illustrations. I love to design my own quilts, and then make them and quilt them by hand. I’m proud that: my children have been so successful in their own lives with achieving their personal goals and keeping faith and family close to their hearts and in their homes. My most embarrassing moment in teaching was: when I first moved to South Dakota. I had started my first day at St. Agnes on a very warm day in August, and I asked the principal how to turn on the AC. She said there was no AC. Ms. Gotsleben got a big kick out of it, but I was so embarrassed! The most interesting place I’ve traveled to: is Washington, DC. We took our young family when they were preteens, and we learned so much about our country! I’d like to have a dollar for every time a student: uses the pronoun, me, first in a sentence. Future goal: When I retire, my husband and I hope to visit the national parks of America and take our grandchildren to Washington, DC. I will also spend time volunteering. The best thing about my job is: it is never boring. Every day is different, and each moment of a school day brings so many emotions: delight, joy, frustration, and disappointment. The vTEACHERS continued on page 24 HERVOICEvMARCH/APRIL 2016v23