Kim Niewedde

State:

Indiana

Testimonial from a participant

I really enjoyed this week and all the ideas. I am learning new ways of rethinking my classroom strategies.

— JC, North Vernon, IN

PLS courses I teach:

• Classroom Management: Orchestrating a Community of Learners®
• Successful Teaching for Acceptance of Responsibility®
• Teaching the Skills of the 21st Century®
• Building Communication and Teamwork in the Classroom™

Years with PLS:

Since 2000

Why I love teaching PLS courses:

"You've got to continue to grow or you're just last night's cornbread — stale and dry." Loretta Lynn

I love teaching PLS courses because they have helped me as a teacher to continue to grow. I want share my growth and to learn from others.

Education:

• B.S., IUS / IU
• Master's, IWU
• Principal Licensure Program, IWU

Teaching Experience:

• Kindergarten: 16 years
• 2nd grade: 2 years and presently
• 7th grade language arts(summer school): 5 years
• 5th grade: summer school
• Early childhood Development for Ivy Tech: 6 years

Related experience, recognition, awards, etc.:

I have taught 7th grade summer school — Language Arts, and 5th grade summer school. I also teach early childhood development classes at Ivy Tech.

What I love most about teaching:

Teaching is a guarantee of something new and different happening everyday. The long term rewards are not measured by money but my memories.

My favorite moment in teaching:

Several years ago, a parent mailed me a copy of her son's 3rd grade essay entitle "My Favorite Teacher." Even though this student attended another school at the time, he wrote of the special times that he remembered in Kindergarten and the special connection that he and I had. As a teacher, you sometimes forget the impact that you do have upon a child's life until someone reminds you.

It is so exciting to see a child finally grasp a concept that he/she has been struggling with and to know that you were a part of the exciting time!

Personal information:

I have been married for 22 years. My husband and I have 3 sons. I enjoy doing activities and attending events with my family. We attend church, ride quads, and attend ball games together.