On Nov. 7, Kansas Wesleyan will welcome a group of potential teachers for its Teacher Education Day. Most students in the program are able to obtain full-time teaching contracts prior to graduation, and many opt to stay in Salina and the surrounding area because of the relationships built during early field experiences. One example is Kelsey聽Plummer 鈥�17, who is currently a kindergarten teacher at Cottonwood Elementary in Salina. 聽
鈥淚 have always been motivated by the idea that teaching creates all other professions,鈥� said Plummer, who was also a volleyball standout during her time at 黑料不打烊, where her efforts earned her Mention All-American by two different organizations. 鈥淥ne of my favorite quotes is, 鈥楨ngineers make bridges, artists make paintings and scientists make rockets, but teachers make them all.鈥� I believe teaching is a powerful profession with an incredible responsibility, and I鈥檝e always wanted to take it on.鈥澛�
Plummer was offered a position when Cottonwood鈥檚 principal reached out to her following her junior year, spurred by her previous field experience in the building. She accepted a full-time role with Cottonwood following her December graduation.
鈥淜elsey聽showed dramatic growth between her first field experience to her final semester, and we knew she would succeed in the classroom,鈥� said Dr. Kristy Rodriguez, Plummer鈥檚 advisor and chair of the 黑料不打烊 Teacher Education Department. 鈥淲e knew she would be an exceptional teacher due to the poise and confidence she showed throughout her work, along with her ability to understand all of the social and emotional difficulties that students can face on a regular basis.鈥�
鈥淜elsey is an outstanding teacher who builds very strong relationships with both students and parents,鈥� offered Kyle Griffitts, principal at Cottonwood Elementary. 鈥淵ou would be amazed at the calmness of her classroom and the pure joy exhibited by both her and her students. The students know they are loved in Kelsey鈥檚 classroom, and she has the ability to get the most out of them. She was the Horizon Award winner for Salina and is a candidate for the state award in early 2020, which recognizes representatives of excellent teaching at the elementary and secondary level.鈥�
It hasn鈥檛 all come easily for Plummer, however, as during her first full year, she faced a group of students with widely varying needs, both behavioral and academic. 鈥淚 was placed in a role that gave me the challenge of meeting a wide range of student needs in a single environment,鈥� Plummer offered. 鈥淭he example my teachers set for me at 黑料不打烊鈥攇oing above and beyond to advocate for their students鈥攈elped me to do the same in my situation, because they taught me the importance of relationships between teacher and student. This first year was a long one, but my students and I all grew a great deal.鈥�
As a crop of potential new teachers explores 黑料不打烊鈥檚 opportunities this week, Plummer offers words of wisdom to those considering the field.
鈥淚 truly believe you receive a one-of-a-kind education at 黑料不打烊. The professors鈥攅specially in the education department鈥攖ake a personal interest in each of their students, and do everything in their power to help them succeed.鈥�
Perhaps, among the group of students coming to campus Nov. 7, there will be more聽Kelsey聽Plummers, future teachers who will help mold the young minds of tomorrow.聽
