Scott School
Amy Noelle Kowalski
Amy Noelle Kowalski
Teacher - Kindergarten
Started Teaching: 2010
Started at Scott: 2012
Bachelor's Degree: 2000
Master's Degree: 2010
Why I Teach: This may sound cliché, but for the love of children. I adore the look in a student’s eyes when he/she understands a concept I just taught, or the sparkle in their face when they get an A on a paper! When they say, “Ms. K, you are the best teacher,” I am encompassed by a sense of pride and esteem which fills my heart. I have a keen desire to help, understand, mold and create a student to be the best they can be and succeed in all areas of their life.
What I Believe: I expect that my class will include an intricate mixture of students with different abilities, ethnic backgrounds, family situations, maturity levels, and school experiences. I also realize that while these differences can create a rich experience for my students, they will also have the power to present challenges throughout the year. By creating an atmosphere that includes everyone and teaching skills to my students such as; acceptance, tolerance, conflict-resolution, and kindness, I hope to reduce prejudice, judgment, and stereotypes. I know this is quite idealistic and I might just be planting a seed, but my goal is that the seed will hopefully be culminated and grow as my child encounters real life experiences in the community and their own family. When I look at my class roster, it’s a reminder that everyone deserves the best instruction I can deliver every day. If my own values, ethics, and beliefs are aligned with my own moral compass teaching these things to my students will be much easier. We project onto others what we are feeling and believing, so if I’m practicing a “self-check” often it will be much easier to do this with my students. Parents, communities, and families will have influence on my students. It is my responsibility to create a learning community that will accept and embrace differences. I would even go so far as to celebrate our differences. Possibly hosting a “sponsored” activity once a month where we have a lesson, presented by the student, about different cultures in the classroom. Ignorance is bliss but when we open our eyes, or better yet, our eyes become open it’s much harder to have judgment and prejudice. If we learn and educate our students about cultural differences, stereotypes, gender differences, etc. we are teaching them to be more awake in their own life. They in turn will go home and educate their parents and hopefully create more acceptance and tolerance in their communities. Being a teacher is much more than driving instruction. It’s building a foundation, sculpting and chiseling a rock, forming a landscape, and creating our future.
My Favorite Things: Walking my dog Tulip is my passion and love. I love being outside, watching her tail go back and forth, seeing her smile, and feeling the air in my lungs that signals I am doing something positive for me. Exercise is fundamental to my spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being. I have a passion for animals, so I also walk other dogs in my neighborhood. I love to read and am an avid reader of philosophy, fiction, non-fiction, and psychology. My undergraduate degree is in Psychology therefore I love continuing to learn about human behavior, what drives humans, and the differences that make each of my students unique.
How I help every student succeed: I am continually monitoring, orally assessing, and consciously aware of Scott’s goals and my own goals. My objectives are posted every day to ensure my lessons are targeted and instill the goal in each student’s mind. I communicate with parents, and send letters home regarding tools and skills that parents can do to help us reach our goal. Having fun and rest is also an intricate part of our day. I believe if I continue to look for different and exciting ways to teach, communicate with my colleagues, and administration and keep my focus on the students, our goal at Scott will be achieved.
