By Jo Mathis / AAPS News
Kristal VerLee was born in Flint, where she was educated through through fifth grade. Her family then moved to Grand Blanc, where she completed her middle and high school education. After high school, VerLee attended Western Michigan University to study Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology. During her senior year, she developed an intergenerational program at a local senior center where she led a series of activities that brought together people of different generations to share skills, knowledge, and experiences. This program truly influenced her desire to become a teacher. Soon after, she attended Michigan State University, earning her second bachelor’s degree in Learning Disabilities and a master’s degree in Literacy.
Throughout her 25-year tenure at Ann Arbor Public Schools, VerLee has worked at Pittsfield Elementary and Lakewood Elementary and is now in her fourth year at Lawton Elementary. She said teaching has been incredibly rewarding, and notes that throughout her career, she has met many amazing friends, families, and colleagues.
Away from teaching, VerLee enjoys reading, biking, golfing, and gardening. However, her true passion is traveling. She and her husband, Peter, traveled to Italy last summer, where they enjoyed touring and studying her Italian heritage.
Was your career choice inspired by your own elementary school teachers?
Absolutely. Like most kids, I did not always appreciate my teachers at a young age and surprisingly, I did not enjoy school! However, each teacher left an impression on me that allowed me to take away lessons on how I engage students in my own classroom. I have learned that teachers have a pivotal role in sharing a love for learning. To do this, I try to cultivate a positive environment in my classroom each day. I enjoy it when my students love school, feel safe, and feel inspired and supported every day.
What’s the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging aspect of teaching is balancing the diverse needs of all my students. Each child has unique strengths and challenges, and it can be difficult to ensure that every student feels supported and engaged. However, I’m motivated for the challenge this brings. I want all my students to be in a supportive environment where they feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes, and take risks when learning.
What’s the most rewarding part?
The most rewarding part of my job is watching students grow and thrive. It is very rewarding to witness students develop confidence in their abilities, and feel inspired and supported in their relationships with each other. These moments make all the challenges worthwhile.
What do you like about working at Lawton?
What I enjoy most about Lawton Elementary is the sense of community. The collaboration among teachers, staff, students, and parents creates a supportive atmosphere that fosters learning and growth. I also admire the dedication and passion of my colleagues who also strive to inspire and motivate each student. Their commitment to providing a quality education is evident, and I learn valuable insights from them daily. Lawton Elementary is a special place. As teachers, we support one another and offer a lending hand to anyone who needs it. I find this to be the reason I love my job, and why Lawton is so special.
Any tips for classroom management?
Effective classroom management is critical. I use three guiding principles in my teaching practice.
First, I recommend establishing clear expectations from the start and consistently reinforcing them.
Next, I can’t stress enough about the importance of building positive relationships with students and their families. I truly believe that fostering strong connections is essential to creating a positive and productive learning environment. When building relationships with my students, I prioritize open communication and active listening. I make it a point to learn about their interests, strengths, and challenges. This not only helps me understand them better but also shows that I genuinely care about them. I also encourage a classroom culture where students feel safe to express themselves and share their thoughts.
Last, engaging in activities that promote teamwork and collaboration is another key strategy. Group projects and discussions allow students to connect with each other, while also building a sense of community in the classroom. Additionally, I strive to celebrate their achievements, big or small. Doing so reinforces their confidence and fosters a supportive atmosphere. Ultimately, my goal is to create an environment where students feel valued and respected, as this lays the foundation for strong, trusting relationships.
How do you maintain communication with parents throughout the school year?
Maintaining open communication with parents is very important. I use various methods, including regular newsletters, emails, and parent-teacher conferences. In turn, I also encourage parents to reach out anytime with questions or concerns.
I also teach my students to keep their families informed of their accomplishments, progress, and classroom events. To do this, we use a daily planner. There’s a section we label “Table Talk” where students record memorable events each day. Students are then encouraged to share these events with their families at home. I find this activity fosters student responsibility and offers conversation topics that students can engage with their parents. In summary, we’re all working together to communicate what happens each day in our classroom.
What are you excited about these days?
I love spending time with my family. Both of my children are finishing their college years (we’re excited about that last tuition payment!), and we’re excited to see how their own career paths unfold. And, of course, my husband and I look forward to our next opportunity to travel.
