This week's Staff Spotlight is Mrs. Hollie Connell, 2nd grade teacher!
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in education?
At an early age, I knew I loved working with children. Most of the jobs that I have had over the years have revolved around children. There is nothing more rewarding to me than being around children. They captivate my heart like nothing else. I have always had a passion for working with children.
2. What’s your favorite part of working with students?
When I think about my favorite part of working with students, I like to think of it as a journey. It always starts the same, but the ending is always different. It all begins with creating meaningful relationships with my students and learning them as individuals and learners. After those relationships are developed, my focus shifts to helping them grow, learn, and develop into confident leaders of their own learning. Loving them and investing in their individualities creates the magic.
3. If you weren’t in education, what do you think you’d be doing?
If I wasn’t in education, I would be a makeup artist, riding in rodeos, or running a kingdom. I love makeup and I love riding horses. Each year, just for fun, I tell my students I am a real queen and they are now a member of the kingdom. If I can run a classroom full of second graders, I can surely run a kingdom.
4. Do you have any professional goals you’re working on this year?
Each year, I get a new group of students to teach and love. My goal is to have a growth mindset and to meet the needs of each student as an individual learner. I am constantly learning from my peers and professional development. In addition, I like to try new strategies, methods, and techniques to improve my instruction.
5. What’s one thing you love most about our school community?
One thing I love about my school community is how welcoming and supportive everyone is. MVES is one big family. I am the BEST version of myself as an individual and as an educator because of the love and support shown to me at MVES.
6. Is there a particular moment in the school year you look forward to each year?
I always look forward to the month of May. We are finished with testing, the year is winding down, and we can slow down and enjoy the remainder of time we have with one another before the year comes to an end. It is also a time for reflection for my students as well as myself.
7. Do you have any hobbies or hidden talents?
I don’t have a lot of spare time for hobbies, but I love to go fishing, hiking, camping, and ride horses. The outdoors is my happy place.
8. What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
There is nothing about me that is surprising because I am an open book. But each year, my kids are always surprised by my enormous love for pickles, pickle juice, and pickled flavored everything. I also love to sing.
9. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
If I could travel anywhere in the world it would be to Montana and Wyoming. I want to visit Yellowstone National National Park and Grand Teton National Park.
10. What’s a food you can never say no to?
A food I can never say no to is PICKLES!!