Kayla Suchland, a kindergarten teacher at Nike Elementary School, was awarded a $500 Grant from the Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation in August of 2021. Ms. Suchland was one of nine winners from 30 applicants from across Missouri. The project Developing Courage and Creativity in Aspiring Authors is designed to serve the needs of kindergarten students who have never held a pencil or a book before coming to school. Some students come to the classroom with a limited view on the endless possibilities that arise when learning to read and write. To ensure students had an equal chance to succeed in today’s world, Suchland proposed to an interactive writing experience within the kindergarten classroom.
Ms. Suchland’s goals are to establish a writing center through which kindergarten students apply phonemic skills, gain exposure to various topics through new vocabulary, and develop confidence as authors. As well as increase writing assessment scores among kindergarten students at Nike Elementary.
Congratulations Ms. Suchland! Nike Elementary is excited for you and your kindergarten class to begin using these resources purchased with the grant. A special thanks to the Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation for supporting teacher grants.