Vol. 17, No. 3, Spring 2002
A Publication for Alumni & Friends of Bemidji State University
BSUHorizons
BSUCalendar March 10-11, 2002 BSU Winter Rendezvous, Flamingo / Laughlin, NV April 26, 2002 Mass Communication Alumni Reunion, Bemidji Town and Country Club April 27, 2002 BSU Alumni Assn. Board Meeting May 16-17, 2002 50-Year Reunion of the Class of 1952
Teacher
Teacher of the Year Never Stops Learning “
E
veryone starts the day with one cup of energy. You have to pour it out slowly otherwise you’ll be empty too early. I go home to two dogs, two kids, and have to make dinner and do the laundry and clean the house. Sometimes that cup is drip-dried. But seldom do I ever run out before the kids are out the door.”
May 17, 2002 BSU Commencement Exercises August 23-24, 2002 BSU Alumni Assn. Board Meeting and Annual Retreat
Barb Stoflet
October 4-6, 2002 Homecoming 2002 October 19, 2002 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
BSUHorizons
Bemidji State University Alumni Association 1500 Birchmont Drive NE, Box 17 Bemidji, MN 56601-2699 218-755-3989 / 1-877-BSU-ALUM alumni@bemidjistate.edu http://info.bemidjistate.edu/alumni
Like her students, Bemidji State University alumna Barb Stoflet never stops learning. In fact, she said she feels teachers should be growing 10 percent each year. “If you don’t you won’t be ready for the next class,” she said. When she taught a very diverse group of students, she learned the value of teaching to different learning styles. When she sat down to write her essay as a candidate for Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Stoflet learned why she became a teacher. That essay is a big part of why the Chanhassen resident and Gatewood Elementary School teacher was named 2001 Minnesota teacher of the year. A LaMoure, ND, native, Stoflet has been teaching since she was 4, starting with a motley class of 17 dolls. She said she has wanted to be a teacher since that time. But the reason she became a teacher was her older brother. “He had trouble learning and school was not always a happy place for him,” said Stoflet. “Deep down I wanted to be a teacher to help children.”
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One of those students who stands out in her mind was 8-yearold Ian, a student in St. Cloud who “slumped into the classroom and said, ‘is this the class for the dummies?’ I felt the tears sting in my eyes and I said to him that this is the class for kids that learn with their hands and eyes, and we will never be one page behind those who learn with their ears. “Then I turned back to the board and thought to myself, ‘how am I going to do that?’ ” She said she knew she couldn’t disappoint Ian and when it came time to teach long division, her “low kids” taught the “high kids” how to play “divide it right.” Stoflet said it was in that class she realized students had different learning styles. A first- and second-grade classroom teacher, Stoflet stays with students for two years in a loop. She said she came to first grade as a challenge. “Building from the foundation is very important,” she said. “It took a long time for me to feel ready to teach first grade.” Stoflet earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Bemidji State University and a master’s degree in experiential education from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Stoflet’s room is a warm, inviting one with brightly colored posters on the walls, an upright piano, islands of desks, pictures of students and all sorts of fun books and activities. Stoflet isn’t much taller than many elementary school students and her face lights up when talking about her students, teaching and learning. There was one year when teaching probably brought more of a grimace than a smile, however. Stoflet said one year she had 14 Title I students — those who have special needs — and 12 high potential students, and no one’s needs were met. That was the year she started differentiating instruction, feeling her way through it, she said. At that time she learned to chart students’ growth and assess their styles and needs. It was also when she started to pay attention to every minute in the day and use each one to full advantage. Stoflet figures out her students’ varied learning styles by presenting them with activities that they think are fun, and uses photographs of them doing the activities to assess their learning styles. For example, how a child sorts and places colored blocks can tell her a lot about the child’s style. She said she has the ability to quickly and accurately assess learning styles and teach to students’ strengths and sneak their weaknesses in the back door. Stoflet said she does a lot with different activity stations and grouping. “We mix it up all day,” she said. “Teachers no longer need to be the sage on the stage, they need to be the guide on the side that
brings out thinking,” said Stoflet. She said that teachers also need to be developed because textbooks can’t keep up with children on changes in technology. Stoflet herself works on developing new teachers as a mentor to other teachers. She said she teaches sixth-grade math for new teachers who observe her teach their class. What makes a good teacher? Stoflet said it is the love of learning, and love of putting the puzzle together. She also said teachers must have a sense of humor. “In one day I was told I was short and the other teacher was pretty,” she said. “I don’t go above fourth grade because then they critique your make-up. “I don’t have a favorite subject,” said Stoflet. “I love the puzzle of education, the bridge-building. I love knowing that if you pose the question, you might move to the next level.” She admits she has some weaknesses. Spending her own money is one. And the other is maintaining her energy level. “Everyone starts the day with one cup of energy. You have to pour it out slowly otherwise you’ll be empty too early. I go home to two dogs, two kids, and have to make dinner and do the laundry and clean the house. Sometimes that cup is drip-dried. But seldom do I ever run out before the kids are out the door,” she said. This story was written by Katherine A. Reilly and appeared in various editions of the SUN newspapers in the Twin Cities area. The photograph of Stoflet was taken by Craig Lassig, also for the SUN newspapers.