2002 North Dakota Teacher of the Year
Ms. Koble teaches Biology to students in the 10th grade. Her teaching experience totals twelve years.

What are your beliefs about teaching?
"I believe it is the role of the teacher to personally connect with each of his students and to employ a variety of strategies to ensure a successful learning experience for all."

How are your beliefs incorporated in your teaching style?
"To reach all learners, I genuinely believe in the 4MAT model of instruction. Learning is a natural cycle that contains the "why", the "what", the "how" and the "if." Through my experience with 4MAT and teaching both General Science and Biology classes, I have come to believe that all students can learn, but that they learn differently."

What is your greatest teaching accomplishment?
"My greatest teaching accomplishment was being awarded the 2002 North Dakota Teacher of the Year designation."

What's the most critical issue facing educators today and what do you think can be done to resolve this issue?
"The most critical issue facing educators today is retaining the great teachers we already have and preventing their continued exodus from the profession. To significantly reduce the number of teachers withdrawing from the profession we need to have effective, trained mentors to support new teachers as well as an administrative and peer support system that continues throughout an educator's teaching career. To increase dedication, we need to develop a stronger sense of meaning and commitment in all teachers. "

Inspirational thought:
"To teach is to touch a life forever."