Alva Review-Courier -

In her 25th year of teaching school, Krista Pollock said, "I still love it."

Telling her teaching philosophy, Pollock said, "Kids don't care how much I know until they know how much I care." On Monday mornings she asks every student how their weekend was. "They trust me. It's all about relationships. They know I care about them. I watch their ballgames and other extra-curricular activities – I like to know. I've found that by first having a good relationship with my students – then their learning will come. I firmly believe that."

"My passion is teaching math," Pollock said. She currently teaches sixth grade math and fifth grade social studies and science at South Barber USD 255 Elementary in Kiowa, Kansas, where she graduated in 1992. She earned a bachelor's and master's degree in elementary education at NWOSU in Alva in 1995 and 2002. Pollock taught at Anthony, Kansas, for 20 years before coming to USD 255.

She was recently selected as South Barber's Elementary Teacher of the Year. Pollock received a visit at her home from Pam Fallis, member of the Kansas Teacher of the Year Region IV Steering Committee. At a brief presentation attended by some of Pollock's peers and family, Fallis said, "Krista is more than deserving."

Fallis said she always tells people, "I don't think people in the outside world, outside of teaching, realize know how much work, time and dedication goes into raising our children. Krista is exemplary in that. We totally want to recognize her fabulous career." Fallis admitted, "We wept the year Krista left (Anthony Elementary) and came over here. I'm glad you recognize what you have in Krista."

One teacher she worked with in Anthony and now at South Barber is Kathie Kersten who is K-12 counselor. When asked about her co-worker, Kersten said, "I have worked with Krista over 20 years in two different school districts. I have witnessed her develop as a teacher who is compassionate and caring ... a true professional. She makes learning fun and strives to help each student, regardless of their level. I admire her as an educator and I am blessed to call her a good friend."

Walk into Pollock's classroom and you'll some strange-looking letters on the board, "YOGOWYPI." Her students know what it means, "You only get out what you put in." Pollock said, "I saw that years ago. When kids believe they can do it, they can. I know they can – I help them believe. Whether school or relationships, it's a life lesson."

When asked how education has changed since she started teaching, Pollock replied, "My early years in education involved teaching the basics ... reading, writing/English, math, science, social studies, and spelling for about 45 minutes each. However, with the implementation of "No Child Left Behind" and Kansas state assessments in the early 2000s, that all changed. It became necessary to devote more time to teaching reading and math to help meet proficiency standards; therefore, other things had to be cut. Students are also learning a lot more at a younger age. My sixth-grade math curriculum teaches skills that used to be taught in junior high."

How have students changed in Pollock's 25 years? "I've always said, children haven't changed; society has. When I first started teaching, kids didn't have any technology as distractions. They communicated face-to-face and gathered with friends after school to play games, ride bikes, and do other activities that fostered creativity. Life wasn't so fast paced, there weren't as many extra-curricular activities, and families had more time around the supper table. As a result, I spend a lot more of my day helping kids problem solve and teaching conflict resolution strategies than my early years."

Some of the problems she occasionally sees are disrespect and students with shorter attention spans.

When asked to tell the advice she offers students, Pollock replied, "Always have a positive mindset. You'll be able to accomplish things you say you can do. Negative thinking doesn't get you anywhere. Also, it doesn't matter if you are the smartest, most athletic, best looking or best dressed; the thing that matters is how you treat people. Do the right thing, even when no one else is looking. Be the nice kid who gets along with others. Surround yourself with people who make you a better person!"

As a longtime teacher, Pollock said, "Learning is not always going to be fun and easy – but through perseverance, motivation and hard work students learn to overcome challenges that will make them more productive citizens. It will guide them to their future successes."

Pollock's husband Mark is a local farmer. They raised their two daughters in Kiowa. Their oldest daughter is Taylor, 2nd Class 2C Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy. She will commission as an officer in 2023 and do her five years of service. Clare is a senior at South Barber, pursuing a career in nursing.

Pollock has a busy life and said, "God gets me through every day." She added, "Although there's lots of negative things in this world, it makes my day when kids get it."

Elementary Assistant Principal and fourth-grade teacher Katt Scheck said, "Mrs. Pollock is a strong veteran teacher with high expectations for every child to strive to become their very best. Mrs. Pollock constantly goes above and beyond to help her students learn. She works with students in her classroom before school, during school, and after school. She is willing to do whatever it takes for our students. South Barber Elementary is fortunate to have Mrs. Pollock on our team!"