by Kate Evans
Widmyer Elementary second grade teacher Kimberly Pindell was chosen as the Morgan County Teacher of the Year at the April 1 Morgan County School Board meeting.
Pindell said she’s been teaching for seven years, six of those in Morgan County. Immediately after college, she began teaching in Hampshire County as a sixth grade math teacher at Capon Bridge Middle School. Pindell earned her Bachelor’s degree at Western Governors University.
Pindell started teaching in Morgan County as a K-1 split grade teacher. She transferred to Paw Paw Schools as a fifth-grade teacher and then came back to Widmyer Elementary as a second-grade teacher. This is her fourth year as a Widmyer second-grade teacher.
Pindell said she always wanted to be a teacher when she was in school. She worked multiple jobs and was a manager at a body shop for 12 years. Pindell went to college for her educational degree while she worked there.
Pindell worked as a special education aide in Frederick County, Virginia schools before she acquired her degree and also worked in several pre-school positions, one in Stephens City and one in Winchester, as she was finishing it. Pindell lived in Morgan County and wanted to work closer to home.
Philosophy of teaching
Pindell said she likes to greet every child with a smile and a hug, hi five or fist bump –whatever they’re up to that day.
“Teaching is my passion,” she noted. Pindell likes to teach students not only academics, but how to be good citizens and community members.
Pindell teaches music through learning and tries to make learning fun and engaging.
“I love to challenge their minds. We always have the ‘I Can Do’ attitude,” she said.
Math, literacy
Pindell said she recently became part of the Math Initiative team, which is called “Unite With Numeracy.” She is piloting its book “The Thinking Classroom” in her classroom.
In her class, students use vertical white boards and a given numbers list. Kids work with partners on word problems to gain a deeper understanding of what questions to ask before trying to solve the problems, she said. Using the vertical white boards is one of their favorite activities.
In literacy, her class learns to build and write stories and to be creative with their imaginations and how to come up with a character and solutions for the things the character will face, Pindell said.
Honored
Pindell said she is deeply honored and very excited to receive the Morgan County Teacher of the Year award. She is very grateful to have the opportunity to make a difference.
Pindell added that she’s extremely happy with the support she’s had from administration, colleagues, students, parents and families.
Pindell said she worked with amazing educators at every school who helped her build and grow herself to better help the children. They also gave her ideas for classroom activities. Widmyer Elementary administrators are very encouraging. Her early childhood classroom assistant teacher (ECCAT) Deidre Omps has been amazing and a tremendous help in the classroom.
“It’s been an honor to serve not just the students, but also the families in the community,” Pindell said.
Teaching is a challenge, but it’s also very rewarding, Pindell said.
Making a difference
“You will make a difference in a child’s life, even if you don’t know it at the time. Finding out what each child needs and being able to adjust to what they need is important,” she said.
“Don’t give up,” Pindell advised new teachers. “Not every day is going to be easy. Know that there is a child that needs you every day.”
Principal’s comments
Widmyer Elementary Principal Rhett Beckman said that Pindell is “an incredible part of the Widmyer team.”
“She is of the mindset of ‘What can I do to make things better’ instead of ‘I will only do what I am told.’ Ms. Pindell is always looking for ways to improve her craft and increase her knowledge. Most recently she has been participating in a book study and is putting those ideas into practice. We are proud of Ms. Pindell and are excited to have her as part of our team,” he said.
