To learn about the world, be a penguin

PALMER — Darlene Zehm’s second-grade classroom is filled with penguins, pandas, kangaroos and parrots.

No, her students aren’t acting like animals, they have been costumed to fit the theme of the day. Voted Best Teacher in the Valley by the readers of the Frontiersman, Zehm uses this interactive style to engage her students.

Each unit on the different continents has a theme. There’s penguin day for Antarctica, safaris for Africa, pandas for Asia, Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty for North America, kangaroos for Australia, parrots for South America and knights and princesses for Europe.

The students create pages about each continent, with their pictures in costume, then compile these into a book at the end of the year.

The 33-year-veteran at Swanson Elementary hopes all this work will leave students with a better understanding of the world.

“I want them to learn to look with heart, not with your eyes,” Zehm said. “And I hope they leave my class with a love for reading.”

Kep Kroon shares this idea of teaching students where they fit into the world. The sixth-grade teacher at Teeland Middle School received the second most votes as best in the Valley.

“I want my students to leave with a knowledge of where they stand in the world as a contributor, a giver,” Kroon said, “not always as a taker.”

Kroon believes he became a better teacher after getting married and having children. He understands how he wants to be treated as a parent and how he wants his children to be treated as students. This reflects in how he teaches his classes.

“I have a deliberate concern for their actual learning,” he said.

Kindergarten and first-grade teacher Cathy Ledbetter, the third highest vote-getter, understands the idea of mutual respect.

“I try to be real with the kids,” she said. “I let them know the classroom is part of their home. They should be comfortable and happy in the room.”

This comfort helps Ledbetter teach her younger students how to read, one of her favorite parts of teaching.

“Their faces light up when it finally clicks and they realize ‘Oh, I can do this,’” Ledbetter said.

Ledbetter was speaking for all three teachers when she said she hopes her students go out and become the best person they can be.

“I hope they become good citizens,” she said, “and part of their community just like we are in our classroom.”

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.

Best Teacher

Darlene Zehm - Swanson Elementary

Kep Kroon - Teeland Middle

Cathy Ledbetter - Tanaina Elementary