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2001 Minnesota Paraprofessional/Teacher Team of the Year:

Karen Kroells and Ruth Holthusen

Keys to Success: a Smile, a Laugh,
and a Slice of Toasted Bread

Edited by Angela Swanson, ParaLink editor

Honored, excited, and appreciative — just a few words that express the feelings that Karen Kroells and Ruth Holthusen experienced when nominated andchosen as Minnesota Para/Teacher Team of the Year. "Being nominated by peers was an honor in and of itself, and when we were informed that we had been selected, we were elated and thrilled."

While the recognition of being the Para/Teacher Team of the Year was a surprise and honor, Karen and Ruth clearly consider every day to be its own reward. "From the first day that we began working together, we felt a common bond and friendship with each other and the children in our kindergarten classroom."

When looking back on her professional career, Karen stated, "I have always enjoyed the honesty, enthusiasm, and excitement of children. I love my job and each day is rewarding and fulfilling." Karen has worked in special education and Title I programs at Sibley East School for six years and has worked as a paraprofessional in the kindergarten classroom for the past four years. Before becoming a paraprofessional, Karen was a daycare provider in her home and also became a director of a state licensed daycare center. Children have always been a major motivator and focus for her.

Ruth, too, has been working with or serving children for her entire professional career. She has been at the Sibley East Schools for the past 12 years and most of her teaching experience has been in the kindergarten and/or early childhood special education classrooms. Before finishing her teaching degree, she was an owner/director of a private preschool. Of her experiences, Ruth said, "No two days are alike, which is part of the fulfillment and adventure in the work I do. The candor, the wit, the genuineness and continual sense of wonder in the eyes of children never ceases and always amazes and rewards me."

At Sibley East School, Karen and Ruth have an all day, everyday kindergarten schedule which allows them the time to do some extra, but also very important, activities. With the extra time, Karen and Ruth seek to meet not only the academic needs of students, but also look for ways to take care of the whole little person. One of the things that they do to meet student need is to run a "Toast Restaurant," a practice that was conceived by Karen and Ruth in response to the fact that many of their students did not eat before they came to school. This simple morning snack has become a big success and contributes to the warm, cozy atmosphere in their classroom. This sense of home is readily visible in the artwork of some of the students from their class (see page opposite).

To address the academic needs of their students, Karen and Ruth use student learning stations. This allows them to work with students in smaller groups and enables the students to focus on a variety of activities, such as reading readiness, math, art, and fine motor skills.

"Seeing the progress and changes that the students make during a school year is very rewarding. Their sense of awe in all they discover and learn is probably the biggest challenge. They are so ready and eager for any learning situation we provide and no matter what we teach, they learn! The challenge is to provide content that is worthy of these precious minds" (Karen and Ruth). One effective way of meeting this challenge for the team has been to brainstorm together. In general, Ruth and Karen maintain a sense of perspective by keeping a sense of humor and laughing as often as possible.

"Commitment to children, respect for each other and the children, and taking time for laughter and fun are some of the things that make our friendship and teamwork successful."

What makes these two such a dynamic pair? Perhaps it's as simple as a smile, a laugh, and a slice of toasted bread.