Jarman Teacher of the Year
Kristin Henness – Kindergarten
2009-2010 Teacher of the Year
Kindergarten teacher Kristen Henness has been named the 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year for Jarman Elementary School.
“I foster an environment that allows for active, hands-on learning,” Henness said. “I strive to provide individualized instruction based on the developmental level of each child. I am silly and fun, but the children know my rules, boundaries and expectations I set for the class.”
As a Kindergarten teacher, Henness feels the basics are the most important.
“Students should know and understand the concept that rules are for their safety, breaking rules has consequences, and every person has their own important qualities,” Henness said. “I want them to leave my classroom confident in the skills they have mastered and knowing they will never be ‘all done’ when it comes to learning.”
Henness said, “I love the fall and the spring, because they bring so many opportunities for learning. I love teaching my gas unit...the children always remember it and it is so much fun.”
Henness became a teacher because she was excited about working with children.
“Fresh out of college, I received a job with SoonerStart - our state’s early intervention program,” Henness said, “I was excited about working with children with disabilities and their families. I soon became a glorified paper pusher and rarely worked with the children. I missed the children and the brightness they bring. I needed to work with them directly on a daily basis. I began researching how to obtain my alternative certification and began my exciting adventure as a teacher.”
Still learning herself, Henness said, “In the future, I would like to obtain my master’s degree in Library Science and become a Library Media Specialist.”
Henness said she is glad she is able to be a teacher and happy to be teaching at Union.
“Union Public Schools has a reputation for being the best of the best! I wanted the opportunity to learn from the best, work with the best and teach the best…and I do.”
Henness has a bachelor’s degree in child development from the University of Central Oklahoma. She also attended Oklahoma State University and holds certifications in Family and Consumer Sciences, Early Childhood, and Mild-Moderate Special Education.
“I am always seeking continuing education. I love learning new ideas and strategies,” she said.
She and her husband, Josh, have two sons, Cole, pre-kindergarten at Jarman, and Drew, 2 years.
Kristin Henness – Kindergarten – Room 100 – Jarman Elementary
If you were to visit Room 100 at Jarman Elementary on any given day, you would soon see that love, laughter, and learning is in the air!
Coming from a family of educators, Mrs. Kristin Henness embarks on her profession as a challenge to continued learning…for herself. Her students are amazing as they begin each day with their Smartboard lesson and organize their work areas before the day begins.
They are all about confidence and literacy as they learn about authors, math skills, and science discoveries. Mrs. Henness is a leader in our school, district, and state as she has lead many sessions for area conferences to share her knowledge to others in the field.
“Just like California gold, she was a good find,” says Principal Patti Pitcock. "When I first became acquainted with Mrs. Henness a few years back, we kept in touch until we could bring her aboard at Jarman. She has been a natural fit to our program and faculty. Summing up her qualities would include words like self-starter, continual learner, collaborative, and evaluative. She continues to grow and is open to new ideas and research that will enhance her teaching and her students’ education. We are very proud to announce Mrs. Henness as the 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year for Jarman Elementary."
