NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Frank Weeks at Graber Elementary is the Allen Samuels CDJR Teacher of the Month for February. For Weeks, it's about being consistently positive in front of the kids.
"Every day, it's an adventure," Weeks said. "Every day, it's a challenge. Every day, it's nice to come in and try to be cheerful for the kids, to get them cheerful, to get them excited about learning. Graber has just always been a good fit for that."
Weeks did 13 years in first grade and this is his first year in second grade at Graber. He has 14 in his class and about half of them were his first graders.
"I do feel we are almost caught up with some of the stuff that the kids have lost," Weeks said. "I guess I've been pretty fortunate the last two years, because I've had 14. Fourteen last year and 14 this year. Most of our classes here at Graber are probably 20 kids, 22, 23 kids. I feel I've been able to make up some of that education maybe they have lost."
Providing consistency in the face of a constantly changing situation is the job of a teacher, providing the calm water in the midst of what, for some kids, may be turbulent lives. Weeks loves that challenge.
"It's a job that every day is different," Weeks said. "Every kid is different. I have 14 kids that come from all different backgrounds. It's a challenge to get them...I struggled as an early elementary student. I was probably a good kid, but academically, I wasn't good. I never forget that. The challenge to get to come here and get them interested. It's like I'm convincing them to give me a chance to show them how to do something and that's a challenge for me."
Weeks was nominated by Madisson Livingston.
She said in her entry, “I believe Mr. Weeks should win teacher of the month because he has such a willingness to help each and every student with whatever they need, whether it's just teaching, or helping them come out of their shell and be a more confident student. He has really helped our student enjoy school this year.”
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