Ruth Ann Gharst
2003 Kansas Teacher of the Year
Ms. Gharst has been teaching fifth grade students for twenty years. She currently teaches at Cedar Creek Elementary School in Olathe, Kansas.

What are your beliefs about teaching?
“If you walked into my room, you would see a display that says, 'If you think you can or can't, you're right!' I believe this to be true. As an educator, I strive to empower all my students with an I can attitude. Each child comes into my classroom with unique gifts as well as needs. I firmly believe each and every one can achieve success and find that school is a positive experience. I want them to progress not only as learners, but also as children who have a deeper sense of their own unique capabilities and worth.”

How are your beliefs incorporated in your teaching style?
“In my classroom, no child will fail. I do what is necessary to equip them with the skills they will need to advance even if it means individual tutoring after school and a ride home. Children in my classroom know I deeply care about them. This is essential in establishing a classroom environment that maximizes learning potential. When a child knows I believe in him and that I am attempting to orchestrate events for his greatest good, the results are amazing. The child wants to work for me. He wants to do his very best. He strives to succeed and his success breeds more success. The relationship between student and teacher is crucial, especially for those children who are not self-motivated or are at risk."

What is your greatest teaching accomplishment?
“In describing my greatest contributions and accomplishments in education, I would have to direct you to those students whom I was able to touch in some way. I recall the eyes that gazed up at me in delight and conveyed, 'I finally get it!' and the heads that were once again held high as a feeling of self worth increased. I remember the bored, disinterested students who once again felt the love and excitement of learning as challenges were given."

What's the most critical issue facing educators?
“One issue I am especially concerned about is the shortage of teachers. It appears that this will become even more critical in the near future. According to the National Center for Education Statistics 'The Baby Boom Echo Report' (1998), America will need two million new teachers in the next decade. If current trends continue, this seems next to impossible. It's imperative we provide our children with quality education. This will first come about by ensuring we have classrooms staffed with well-trained and committed professionals."

What do you think can be done to solve this issue?
“Possible resolutions include involving students in pre-collegiate programs and increasing funding for groups such as Pathways to Teaching, Troops to Teachers and Teach for America. Comprehensive induction programs can also be helpful in retention of teachers. Many other tactics to alleviate this problem could be pursued such as offering incentives to delay retirement, raising salaries and benefits, providing higher starting salaries, forgiving student loans for those who remain teaching within a state, and rewarding mentor teachers."

One thought to inspire teachers to excel
“'The task of the excellent teacher is to stimulate "apparently ordinary" people to unusual effort. The tough problem is not in identifying winners: it is in making winners out of ordinary people.' K. Patricia Cross."

One lesson every student should learn
“If you think you can or you can't, you're right!"

Favorite Teaching Tool
“The game 'Equations' has been an invaluable tool in both challenging students who need a challenge as well as providing success for those students who have not typically met challenges with success.”

Favorite Web site
www.funbrain.com