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Third-grade teacher Donna Hempsteads classroom at Wolfpit Elementary School spills over with creativity. One section is dedicated to the board games that the kids are making to learn about math and probability. Later this month, her class will host a Poetry Café.
Theyll wear beatnik shades, and well play bongos while reading poetry, says Hempstead. The desks that face each other in clusters all have privacy shields a piece of tri-folded cardboard that stands upright on the desks because the kids were writing letters in the morning. They can use them whenever they choose to. I tell them its like their own private office.
Hempstead is the recipient of Main Street Connects Star Teacher Award. The Wolfpit PTO gets $5,000 and Hempstead wins a $100 gift card. Hempstead, a teacher for the past 17 years, is grateful for the recognition but modest about being singled out. Each one of my colleagues at Wolfpit as well as all teachers in Norwalk contribute 110 percent.
Though she tries to foster a love of learning through creative projects, Hempstead also believes in drill and kill in the classroom. In either case, Hempstead believes her job is about more than just imparting information. My mentor once told me to keep my eye on the sparrows. Anyone can teach them to read and write, but they will not take flight unless you believe in them.
We need to do everything we can to help kids become aware of their strengths and talents, she says. She encourages independent projects one of her students is creating a comic book and another is becoming an expert on snakes. We need to build on what children are doing right rather than what they are doing wrong.
Third-grader Melissa Louis credits her love of reading and writing to Hempstead. "I'm so glad she's my teacher. She makes us learn."
During this interview, Hempsteads colleague and fellow third-grade teacher at Wolfpit poked her head into the classroom. I just have to say that I would not be the teacher I am without her, said Danielle DAndrea, who student taught with Hempstead. Over the years, Hempstead has been a teacher of teachers. Several of her student teachers are now teaching in Norwalk schools and throughout the area.
Hempstead is a mother of three grown children, a new grandmother and wife of a Doug Hempstead, a member of the Norwalk Common Council. She came to teaching after having her kids. She says the life experience has helped her to understand children. The kids have to know you like them. Then can you build a rapport and trust. They seek your approval and a pat on the back.
Have your children had Mrs. Hempstead? Tell us below about the classroom!
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