Today’s #HCSHeroes Spotlight is Diane Kulbis, a 1st grade HCS at Home teacher at Westview Elementary. Mrs. Kulbis, who has been an educator for 21 years, is being recognized for instilling a love of learning in her students.
“Mrs. Kulbis is amazing,” said Irene Proidan, a parent. “During this difficult time for everyone she is doing such a great job helping our kids to have as normal school year as possible. Mrs. Kulbis is teaching her class online, and it’s really hard for first graders. It’s hard for her as well since we all are learning this year. She is definitely our hero this year!”
Being tasked with engaging first grade students in a virtual classroom is not easy, but Mrs. Kulbis has found creative ways to connect with her students.
“During this unprecedented time, my mission has been to instill a love of learning while providing my students with the same experiences they would get as if they were in the school building,” said Mrs. Kulbis. “I have sent home multiple packages with crafts, STEM projects, math, and literacy manipulatives as well as Scholastic News Magazines. Additionally, I have set up a library on a cart outside so families can drive up to school and check out books. We have had two virtual field trips, one to the Chattanooga Zoo and one to the Tennessee Aquarium so we can enrich our learning. My students have risen to the challenges of online learning. I could not be prouder of them! In January, some students started to transition back to the classroom. This has changed the dynamic of our class, to which again my students have handled beautifully!”
Mrs. Kulbis adds, “These are challenging times in education. I tell my students ‘teamwork makes the dream work’ all the time. I could not have tackled these challenges without my fabulous team, instructional coach, parents, and students.”
The efforts of our teachers and staff are truly heroic, and we are proud to have people like Mrs. Kulbis on our team to support our students!
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