"Pomperaug Elementary School first grade teacher Joann Kloss does not own a magic wand, but how she interacts with her students is nothing short of magical."
That's how the Region 15 school district describes this year's Teacher of the Year recipient. Kloss, a Middlebury native, has worked in education since the 1970s before taking time off to raise her son and daughter. She started teaching first grade at Pomperaug in the mid-1990s, and was named the district's Teacher of the Year this week for her decades of service.
"I do whatever I can so when these boys and girls leave first grade, they feel capable," she said in the announcement. "I know my students will all learn to read -- not all at the same time or rate, but they will read. Mostly though, it’s important to me to teach children to be kind and respectful to each other, and that’s what I model in the classroom."
Kloss also serves as a PES Instructional Teacher Leader, helping develop the Language Arts curriculum and making sure the program meets new Common Core State Standards.
With the award comes the possibility of further recognition. Teacher of the Year candidates are eligible for state and national awards.
"When it comes right down to it, I’m just like every other teacher…we want to do the best for our students," she said. "That’s how we try to make the world a better place."
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