Schatz, LUSD's Teacher of the Year, loves everything about kindergarten

Kindergarten teacher Shelly Schatz was named Lodi Unified's Teacher of the Year on Valentine's Day; incidentally, one of Schatz's favorite holidays.

Principal Celeste Bordner praised Schatz for her dedication.

"She connects with her children on a very personal, individual level. She is so energetic. She is so bubbly. I think she has more energy than her children do," Bordner said. "I think her key is knowing them individually so she can reach them in their own personal style, while teaching to the standards."

Each day, Schatz greets her children at the front of the school. They line up with hands to their sides, backpacks zipped up, toys put away, and they walk to Classroom 2, their "home" from 11 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.

"Good morning," Schatz says with a smile as she greets everyone by first name. Actually, she doesn't stop smiling throughout the day.

"Good morning, Mrs. Schatz," each student says in return.

They recite the days of the week. They count how many children are in class and absent. They practice sight words such as "a," "the," "I" and "do," key words Schatz wants kindergartners to recognize and understand.

Schatz is now preparing personal statements about her teaching career, in order to be considered for the San Joaquin County title. She recently talked with the News-Sentinel about her teaching career and why she loves kindergarten and the Reese Roadrunners.

Q: How long have you been at Reese?

A: I have always wanted to be at Reese. I was a Reese Roadrunner growing up. My husband was a Reese Roadrunner ... we met in kindergarten. When I was a senior in high school, I took an ROP class and two periods a day and I would come to Reese. During my student teaching practicum I taught a second-grade class for a year. Both of my children were Reese Roadrunners.

Q: What do you hope to teach your children in kindergarten?

A: There are a lot of things they have to learn, as far as California state standards. I want them to leave kindergarten knowing school is the most wonderful place to be. ... I think that is my job as a child's first teacher. I just want them to know all those important qualities, being nice to your friends, sharing, being patient. Learning those life skills has to start in kindergarten.

Shelly Schatz at a glance

Age: 43

Residence: Lodi

Family: Married for 23 years to Glen; the couple have two daughters, Amanda, 16, a junior at Lodi High, and Emily, 12, a seventh-grader at Millswood Middle School.

Education: Associate's degree, early childhood education certificate, San Joaquin Delta College, 1983. Teaching credential, California State University, Stanislaus, 1990. Now enrolled in a reading education credential course from University of California, Davis.

Experience: Preschool teacher, Happy Hours. Firstand second-grade, Davis Elementary, 1990-1991. Kindergarten, 1991-2001, Westwood Elementary. Kindergarten, Reese Elementary, 2001-present.

School activities: School site council president, 2006-07; member of "Sunshine Committee" which sets up staff get-togethers and celebrations.

Favorite part of the school day: Recess. "I get to play with the children. We have such great conversations. It is so fun."

Favorite children's books: "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle, "I Ain't Gonna Paint No More" by Karen Beaumont and David Catrow.

Q: Why kindergarten?

A: Kindergarten children are amazing. I didn't set out to be a kindergarten teacher. I wanted to teach second, third grade. My principal, Patty Sasaki (at Westwood) asked me to teach kindergarten. I was afraid of kindergartners.

Q: If you could choose any other job, what would that be?

A: I don't know ... I love teaching so much. It would have to be something with kids.

Q: What are some activities or lessons you especially enjoy?

A: I love it all. Art, music, science, it's all wonderful to teach in kindergarten. I love parent helpers. I think parents need to be involved in a child's education. As a child's first teacher you're setting the tone for the rest of that child's educational career.

I love music in the classroom. We put on "Greg and Steve" for background music but when I'm at home I find I'm singing to myself: "Monday, Tuesday ... ." (from the duo's popular song "Days of the Week.")

Q: How has your teaching style changed over the years?

A: Kindergarten has become a lot more academic. Sixteen years ago kindergarten was focused more on the development of a child. Now we focus more on standards but still keeping their development in mind.

Q: Have you ever questioned being a teacher, your career choices?

A: You always question your teaching. I think everyone does that in any career. Sometimes you go back and say "Did I meet the needs of all my students?" or "Man, I really blew that lesson." Then you go back and reteach it.

Teachers are always learning, too. I've never questioned my love of teaching.

Q: What do you do when you're not teaching? What are some of your hobbies or interests?

A: I'm a mom! My hobbies are my daughters. We don't travel much but we always go camping at Silver Lake.

I like to read James Patterson novels. I just finished "Big Bad Wolf." Now I'm going to pick up "Step on a Crack."

My daughters play year-round softball so we've traveled to their games — Huntington Beach, Utah, Oregon. This summer it's softball in Las Vegas.

And, I love to sit out by the pool and read.

Q: If you were on a desert island, what three CDs would you bring, and why?

A: Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and Shania Twain. I'm a country girl. I'm 43, and the first concert I ever went to was Shania Twain a couple of years ago at Arco Arena. I went with my daughters.

Contact reporter Kendyce Manguchei at kendycem@lodinews.com.

First published: Friday, February 23, 2007

Reader Feedback

Sub Teacher T wrote on Mar 1, 2007 9:11 PM:

" Congratz !!Mrs. Schatz. I went to school with Mrs. Schatz and her husband. Teacher of the year is a great honor and I hope this will open more doors for you. May God Bless you and all teachers. TO 12X yes I believe we need to test all students for grade placement from their first year on. We are complex human beings and not people mature the same. Some 10yr olds could be in 5th grade and some could be in 2nd. "

Report Abuse

Glenn with 2 n's wrote on Feb 24, 2007 11:42 AM:

" I am very proud of you and happy for you Shelly. You have done a great job and you deserve to be honored. I hope and pray that you will continue to learn and teach. Learning is the key to teaching. These young ones are the current and future leaders of the world. You improve the world by what you do. "

Report Abuse

WY wrote on Feb 23, 2007 7:57 PM:

" 12x... can you let it go for one minute... This is Mrs Schatz's moment. We all agree and so would Mrs. Schaltz, but this is about what a good job this lady is doing on her personal level. She rocks! don't try and take that from her. This woman is selfless and now she is rewarded. That must feel warm and fuzzy to her. Let her ride the wave! "

Report Abuse

WY wrote on Feb 23, 2007 7:51 PM:

" What a Great teacher! What a great person! It couldn't have gone to a better gal. The lady never stops the good that comes from her soul.She loves Children and understands their lil hearts and minds. She knows how to feed our children full of pride and strength to move forward in learning. The lil ones come out of her class bright! Lodi is lucky to have her. She makes a difference in a childs life. Way to go Mrs Schatz!!! "

Report Abuse

Me wrote on Feb 23, 2007 12:22 PM:

" 12x sounds a little angry THEY didnt get the award. hahaha "

Report Abuse

Lodian wrote on Feb 23, 2007 9:23 AM:

" Way to go, Mrs. Schatz! Keep up the wonderful work you do for the students! "

Report Abuse

Julie Edsell wrote on Feb 23, 2007 8:59 AM:

" Congrats Shelly! Our daughters play softball together and she is a great person and one of the happiest people I know. Keep up the great work. "

Report Abuse

12x wrote on Feb 23, 2007 8:34 AM:

" (cont.) As it stands, "proficient" students suffer and teachers are discouraged by a system that will never work, and almost all the "proficient" students transfer to other schools, perpetuating the school's low test scores. "

Report Abuse

12x wrote on Feb 23, 2007 8:28 AM:

" (cont.) Test scores are low and they always will be in these schools because of non-English speaking families, and families that generally don't take an interest in their child's education. There's really nothing more that currently can be done. I suggest a proficiency test as a prerequisite to entering school. If not passed, the student is not ready to be taught and must enter and special class to "catch up" to mandated standards of their grade level. "

Report Abuse

12x wrote on Feb 23, 2007 8:22 AM:

" (cont.) Especially the teachers in the schools of the lower socio-economic students. They will never receive proper recognition because of students entering school unprepared to learn because of language, and other family issues. These students start behind and therefore test poorly. Unfortunately, many people perceive this as teachers and schools failing. "

Report Abuse

12x wrote on Feb 23, 2007 8:11 AM:

" Congratulations to Mrs. Schatz on her award. I'm sure it's well deserved. I would also like to congratulate all the other hard working teachers who sacrificially give of their time and resources above and beyond the call of duty to help in the educational process of their children. "

Report Abuse

Fan of Mrs Schatz wrote on Feb 23, 2007 7:39 AM:

" As a parent with a child who had Mrs Schatz last year I have to say I am so thankful for her! She is the BEST teacher and most kind, sweet & thoughtful person you will ever meet. She is truly a role model for other teachers to follow and I wish there were more teachers like her. She deserves to be teacher of the year! "

Report Abuse

WAY TO GO SHELLY! wrote on Feb 23, 2007 7:33 AM:

" My daughter had Shelly for a teacher and she is wonderful! Her kindness is infectious and you can't help but love her. She is such a great woman and teacher. I wish we could have her every year as a teacher! Way to go Shelly! I couldn't think of a better person to get this award! C. Aponte "

Report Abuse

Comments on this story are now closed.

Archives

Story Tools

Indexes