Teachers pick out their best
Ark City's Scram named master teacher
By ALISHA CALL, USD 470
Barbara Scram recently received a surprising phone call. The caller was Deb Hargrove of the Arkansas City Teachers Association. She was calling to notify Scram that she'd been named the association's 2007-2008 Master Teacher.
"I was shocked and excited," Scram, kindergarten teacher at Adams, said. "In my 25 years of teaching, I never would have dreamed this."
ACTA began the selection process by asking its membership to submit nominations. The group narrowed it down to three finalists and then voted for the winner.
This was Scram's second year to be nominated. The other finalists this year were Mary Young, high school language arts teacher, and Laura Ehler, eighth grade language arts teacher.
"I really feel so proud and honored," Scram said. "Mary and Laura are both very deserving and I know there are so many more master teachers in our district,too."
Scram grew up in Ark City and after completing her teaching degree at Emporia State and moved back to begin her career as a kindergarten teacher. Almost 26 years later, she still loves teaching kindergarten.
"I think I'm a good fit for it," she said. "I love to be active and just really enjoy working with the younger age group."
"I'm always amazed at just how much kids can learn, even when they are so little," she added.
Seeing the kids reach success in learning is Scram's everyday goal. She pays close attention to her performance as a teacher and continuously works to improve on her strengths and weaknesses alike. She also makes preparedness a top priority.
"Planning and being prepared are just some of the challenges teachers face," she said. "It's a must though."
Scram said she spends many hours a week, even weekends, working on just that. She said each year is different and being well prepared is an on-going process.
Aside from teaching the all-day kindergarten program at Adams, Scram teaches during the After School and Summer School programs and is currently serving on the Professional Development Council.
"Creating an environment in the classroom that is developmentally appropriate for young children is what I love to do," she said. "My colleagues, including my amazing aide, help me to achieve that."
Scram also contributes much of her success to her supportive family. She said her parents encouraged her to stay in college even when things got tough and she's glad she did.
"My family is and always has been right behind me every step of the way," she said. "We are a goal-oriented family and they are very understanding of the time I spend in the classroom."
Her husband Mark is a P.E. teacher at the middle school. Their oldest son Deik plays minor league baseball while their younger son, Mark, is a sophomore at Cowley College. She said they help each other to achieve goals and she is proud to share this award with them.
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