Sts. Peter & Paul Teacher of the Year

NAME: Rhonda Yates
SCHOOL: Sts. Peter & Paul
GRADE/SUBJECT: 3rd grade
LENGTH OF SERVICE: 36 years 
(Preschool Director/teacher for 34 years; 2 years as 3rd grade teacher)


What is your favorite part about teaching? 

Teaching the Word of God to the children, so they know how deeply God loves and cares for them.  Filling a child's mind with knowledge and experiencing the joy of the ah-ha moments.  "I get it now!"

Describe how you felt the first day you ever taught a class.   

Everyday is my first day. I felt God's call to teach when I was twelve years old and everyday I feel that same calling. There is so much to teach the children, and I get excited about how I am going to do this and how I can reach them so that they understand the concepts. 

How do you connect your lesson plans to the real world?

I demonstrate real life examples throughout the lesson, doing hands-on activities, and  using the Project Approach method. 

How do you keep your students engaged and motivated? 

I use 'hands on' learning, the Project Approach, and teach all three learning styles at all times.  Each child has their own learning style, and will  gain deeper understanding, pay better attention, and have greater motivation when taught in their own learning style. 

What could parents do to help support you in your job?   

Parental support and involvement with their child is important to the child's success in school.  Parents need to spend time each day listening to their child tell  about what they did in class and encourage them  to complete homework assignments.  This will show the child that their parents value education. 

CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION TO THE SFOA TUITION ASSISTANCE TRUST IN HONOR OF RHONDA YATES. DONATE HERE TODAY.