BY CAMI KOONS
MaryJo Swann and Elizabeth Schmidt are Eudora's 2020 Teachers of the Year.
Their respective principals said the recipients were deserving because of their energy, innovation and passion that inspires students and fellow educators.
Swann teaches advanced mathematics at Eudora High School. This is her fourth year in Eudora and her sixth year teaching. Swann said she knows math is not most students’ favorite or easiest subject, so she loves seeing them get the concepts and enjoy it.
“I’m very passionate about helping them recognize that they can do it,” Swann said.
Eudora High School Principal Ron Abel said Swann is an excellent teacher who makes advanced math understandable for students.
“I’ve had multiple people tell me this,” Abel said. “She’s the most easy to understand advanced math teacher they’ve ever had.”
In addition to her skills as a teacher, Abel said Swann is “infectiously optimistic” and believes her positivity has influenced the staff at Eudora High School. Swann said she tries to stay positive in the classroom for her students because it helps their learning and engagement.
“In the classroom especially, if we can’t be positive for our kids, they miss out on a lot,” Swann said.
Swann said she thinks her positivity comes from her family and her faith, but ultimately said everything she is able to do is because of the students, staff and administration in the district.
Schmidt, a second grade teacher who has taught at Eudora Elementary School for four years, said she always thinks of the students first when making lesson plans. She said she thinks each class is different and needs a different approach from the last.
“You have to look at your kids and know how they’re going to receive that information,” Schmidt said.
For example, since moving to online classes, she tries to assign hands-on material like building tectonic plates out of crackers and icing. Schmidt said she wants to make learning accessible to her students so when they move on to the next grade, they’re able to recall the experiences around a lesson and thus the content.
“I want them to feel comfortable with mistakes and trying new things,” Schmidt said about her experience-driven classroom style.
Eudora Elementary Principal Susan Tinich said Schmidt is a great teacher because her focus is always on the students. Tinich said Schmidt takes a leadership role not for power or recognition but because she knows it’s what’s best for the students.
“She is a self-defined leader within the building,” Tinich said. “She goes for the leadership [roles] because she knows that’s what’s right for the kids.”
Tinich said Schmidt is constantly interacting with any student she sees, not just her own second graders. She said Schmidt is inspiring to watch and deserving of the award because she always goes “above and beyond what she needs to be for a teacher.”
“She’s very conscious of what the standards are, but more conscious of what kids need,” Tinich said.
Schmidt said she is always trying to learn and become a better teacher from her colleagues and students. She said by being open to learning new things and paying attention to the minds and hearts of her students, she is able to better serve them.
“Their heart is important also and they can’t be ready for learning if their mind and heart aren’t right,” Schmidt said.
Like Swann, Schmidt said she couldn’t do what she does without the support of her family and the Eudora School District. Schmidt said she believes her fellow staff are integral to her success as an educator.
Both award recipients said they plan to continue teaching in Eudora for years to come.
“I have no desire to work anywhere else,” Swann said.
Reach reporter Cami Koons at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
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