HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Allen Samuels CDJR Teacher of the Month is Graber Elementary kindergarten teacher Kelly Curry. How far her students have to come when they get to her class is often about whether school is new to them or not.
"It depends on if they've been to preschool or not," Curry said. "They've learned how to play and get along and respect each other and build relationships."
Curry has felt a calling to teach since she was a little girl.
"I knew in second grade that I wanted to teach kindergarten, that I wanted to make it more fun," Curry said. "I don't do the skill and drill type things. I try to incorporate the music and songs and art and theatre and things like that, to make it more fun."
Curry has taught in the district since 1984 and has only taught kindergarten and second grade.
"I do love to watch them just bloom and grow and just learn how to get along," Curry said. "Just love each other and play and just become good humans."
Curry is a Graber alum, and she tries to incorporating a love of reading along with the arts in her classes.