Beulah Park Elementary Teacher Recognized for Outstanding Collaboration

Mrs. Herberger, second grade teacher, was chosen as the October Teacher of the Month at Beulah Park Elementary. Her positive energy, willingness to support her grade level teaching partner, and family-oriented classroom environment has been such a light at Beulah Park this school year.

Originally, Mrs. Herberger was on track to become a high school French teacher. However, she found a love for teaching elementary-aged students while working as an afternoon assistant in a childcare center during college. "Something clicked in me and those little kids just blew me away. I loved them!" explained Herberger.

Mrs. Herberger's journey to Zion Elementary District 6 is unique. She spent 11 years as a Kindergarten Teacher, worked for One Hope United, and even worked in the Beach Park Middle School Library. However, Mrs. Herberger felt at home during her interview at Beulah Park, and is happy to be here for year two as a second grade teacher. "If I am a successful second grade teacher, it is because of my mentor, Katrina Wiltse," explained Herberger, "everything I know, I learned from her." Principal Curtiss Tolefree mentioned that Mrs. Herberger has continued this trend of positive mentorship, and has really taken her grade level teaching partner under her wing this year as well. It is encouraging to see teachers helping one another and building greater skills collaboratively.

New this year at Beulah Park is the "Golden Paw" - a PBIS initiative that encourages the whole class to work together in order to earn rewards for positive behavior. By encouraging positive behavior in her classroom, and reminding students what "Golden Paw" behavior looks like, Mrs. Herberger's class was able to earn 14 Golden Paws during the month of September. When the winner was announced in front of the whole school, the entire class erupted with excitement and pride. "This teaches students that it is not just about them. It is about their whole class as a community! It gives them a sense of belonging, and reminds them that we're all in this together", says Herberger. "The feeling of belonging here at Beulah is extraordinary, among staff and students both".