2018-2019 NEA-Salina Master Teacher Named

NEA-Salina Members have selected Stewart Elementary Teacher Carolynn Phalen as the 2018-2019 Master Teacher! 

Carolynn Phalen
"This is my sixteenth year of teaching in the Salina Public School District. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Kansas State University in 2003, and graduated with a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Baker University in 2007.
           I began my career at Oakdale Elementary teaching first grade, and loved that age level. After four years I was asked to switch to third grade when there was a need for a fourth third grade classroom. To my surprise, I found out I really enjoyed that age level as well! After thirteen years at Oakdale I was afforded the opportunity to return to teaching first grade at Stewart Elementary. I have been blessed to continue working with the first graders that I love since then.
           My district level leadership roles include being our grade level representative at the Elementary Curriculum Academy every year since it was started in 2011. I have worked on English Language Arts curriculum writing both in the summer as well as during the school year. Before this role I was part of the math horizontal alignment committee. Through this committee, we were able to unify the math instruction at the eight elementary buildings, as well as align our math curriculum with the new common core standards. I have also served as a member of the NEA negotiations team from 2016 to the present.
           Leadership roles at the building level are near to my heart because I feel that’s where I can really impact student learning. The following roles are some examples of ways that I’ve been involved: being a part of the building leadership team in both buildings, mentoring new teachers, being a member of our building site council team, being an ambassador for a new teacher, supervising student observers, serving as a cooperating teacher for student teachers, operating as one of the Mastery Connect school trainers, and aiding my literacy coach by agreeing to be a model classroom for whole group reading and MIRP observers at Oakdale. I enjoy being involved in school functions where the students can see me in roles other than just their teacher. A few of the activities that I routinely volunteer for are fun night, marathon family walks, bingo night, book fairs, and appetite for success functions.
           I have also applied my teaching skills outside of the school day by teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at my church."

Learn more about all the awesome teachers that were nominated this year and how they make USD 305 a special place to educate our students by clicking on the link below.

2018-2019 NEA-Salina Master Teacher Nominee Biographies