Kell Principal Marybeth Farrell (left) with Teacher of the Week Michelle Murphy and WJBD-WSIQ General Manager Bruce Kropp.
Kell Grade School Junior High Teacher Michelle Murphy is the WJBD-WSIQ Teacher of the Week.
Murphy was nominated for her extra work with students who have had to learn remotely. So far the Kell Grade School has not been forced to go to full remote learning, but 10 of their 88 students selected to learn remotely this school year, and others have joined them when they have been quarantined due to COVID-19.
Murphy has constant contact with those on remote learning as well as their parents and feels they are able to keep up.
“Some days they are ahead of us because it’s different when you are live and in person. Extra questions, extra challenges versus where if you are at home you have that one on one so sometimes they are a little bit ahead of us but it’s all kind of worked out in the end.”
Murphy is also concerned about the well-being of her 5th, 6th, and 7th-grade students who are doing without many of the special activities this school year.
“I have been having my kids do a journal about their needs and feelings. The 5th graders decided they want to do a book about COVID-19 and their experiences which I think will help them get things out that they may not even realize that is bothering them or on their mind all the time. It was totally their idea so I am hopeful it will be coming soon.”
Murphy has taught at the Kell Grade School for 26 years and Principal Marybeth Farrell says she has been quick to help new teachers.
“She cares not only about our academic success of our students but worried about their social and emotional learning and well-being. I couldn’t ask for a better leader or teacher to be in the building to be an example to our newer teachers. We have 4 new teachers in the building and she is helping them navigate this crazy world we are in with the pandemic.”
Farrell says all teachers are facing special challenges this year and they are trying to make sure all the students feel loved. She notes they are also understanding of what the students are missing but hope to make this a special year as well so they don’t feel they have missed out.
If you would like to nominate a teacher for the WJBD-WSIQ Teacher of the Week, you can make nominations by following the link from the home page of WJBDradio.com.
