By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
When Dayna Crawford, K-1 teacher at O'Loughlin Elementary, turned 50 in November, her family, her students, parents and colleagues all turned out to wish her a happy birthday.
In addition to cake and streamers, the parents of her first-graders presented her with a nomination letter for Hays Post Teacher of the Month.
The parents wrote ...
"We can’t thank her enough for the time and energy she invests in shaping her students and engaging their families. She involves not only the kids but also the parents in classroom learning by uploading pictures and videos throughout the day for us all to experience her teaching and the environment she creates.
"Let’s not fail to mention the countless reminders she posts to the SeeSaw app on evenings and weekends to ensure the kids come prepared and don’t miss out on any events or deadlines. We are fortunate that O’Loughlin adopted a looping methodology (or traveling teacher approach) that’s allowed our children to have Mrs. Crawford for two years (kindergarten and now first grade)."
Crawford has taught kindergarten and first grade for five years at O'Loughlin and taught kindergarten at Washington Elementary School for 23 years before in closed.
The parents continued ...
"Students love her because she is kind, loving, fun and cares about them. Parents love her because she makes them feel like their student is the only one in her classroom.
Dayna gets to know every student in her class as a whole person. Dayna is able to see exactly what each child brings to the classroom. Her teaching methodology involves finding and using the children’s unique strengths to help them grow and thrive as well as harnesses their personality to overcome struggles.
She continues to focus on strengths and what the children are doing right, rather than to dwell on what they haven't achieved yet. This positive approach engages her students to enjoy new experiences and avenues for education beyond typical bookwork, which, we believe, sets the best foundation for future learners."
Crawford's peers have also repeatedly recognized her. Last year marked her fourth time winning the Master Teacher Award presented by NEA for each school in the district.
Crawford said she was inspired to be a teacher by her parents who were also teachers. Her mother was an elementary Title program teacher, and her father taught high school art. Crawford grew up in Codell and attended school in Plainville. She went on to study education at Fort Hays State University.
Crawford still lives in Codell and commutes 45 minutes one way to school each day in the rain, sleet or snow.
She said her mother brought many stories home of what her young students were doing at school.
"It was the idea that I could make a difference," Crawford said. "I think that is my main goal — I can make a difference in each child's life. Even in the smallest amount ... I could change their lives in some way."
When it came time to choose what level she would work with, she opted for the little kids.
"They are just so fun," she said. "I love little kids. They have all the energy. I think especially at that lower grade, you see such growth."
"They walk in as kindergarteners, and they are learning how to zip coats and tie shoes. Now here at O'Loughlin, they walk out as first graders, and they are reading and writing and doing math."
Although students learn many skills in kindergarten through first grade, Crawford said she most enjoys teaching children to read.
"To see them make the growths that they do throughout the year ... We do guided reading in my classroom, so they get a new book everyday," she said.
"To listen to them read and start figuring out those words ... They move up in levels, and I get to watch the excitement in their eyes as the stories become more difficult."
Earlier this month, the children were reading books about Martin Lurther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. The children also enjoy books by Mo Willems, such as "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!"and the Elephant and Piggie series.
Young children have great imaginations, Crawford said.
The children just finished a persuasive writing assignment. The students had to attempt to persuade Crawford to do things such as buy a product, try a food or see a movie.
One child wanted her to try a combination of orange juice and ice cream. Another child's father makes pizza for Precision Valley, and wanted Crawford to try her dad's pizza. Yet another child drew an elaborate diagram to accompany her essay on drinking root beer floats.
Crawford said her No. 1 goal for her classroom is for her students to love being at school. Every day she tries to do something fun so the kids want to come back the next day.
She takes a cue from her art teacher father. If the students can finish their academic studies in the morning, she does arts or a craft with them in the afternoon. Crawford said she thinks the children work harder if they know they can earn that fun activity at the end of the day.
Crawford tries to make close bonds with children and their parents. She continues to stay in touch with her students through their journey through school and into adulthood.
"I have told my families that when they leave, I am now a part of their family for the rest of their lives. They can't get rid of me," she said.
She said she loves what she does.
"Nothing is better than when they walk in in the morning and they give you their little hugs and want to tell their little stories, and you look at those smiling and excited faces," she said.
"What's the best of all is when you say, 'We might have a snow day tomorrow' or 'No school tomorrow, it's inservice day,' and they say, 'Ugh! But I want to come to school.' ... I want them to love to be here."