In her 31 years of teaching, Katy Bierman has never left the kindergarten room, and for the last 27 years, she’s taught in her hometown of Tolono at Unity West Elementary School.
According to her principal, Lanee Reichert, Bierman “creates a warm and welcoming environment for her students and always makes learning fun. “
I find my work important because … I am a child’s first teacher in elementary school. I want their year to be successful so they love learning and school. I teach them how to learn and how to be responsible, respectful, life-long learners. I make learning fun and engaging. I establish routines, structure and consistency to give children security. I love and nurture them at school. I believe in them and let them know that learning is important.
I became a teacher because … I LOVED almost all of my teachers throughout my schooling. My elementary teachers were loving, caring, nurturing, supportive, fun and, in my eyes, the most amazing people in the world. I wanted to be that, too. While in high school, I took a child-development class where preschool children came to the high school and we taught them lessons. I remember working with a preschooler and the child grasping the concept I was teaching, and it was like a lightbulb going off! Seeing the child so excited got me hooked. I knew this was the path I wanted to take.
My favorite or most unique lesson that I teach is … I have so many! I love teaching about animals, nature, Abraham Lincoln and other historical figures.
My most fulfilling moments on the job are when … I love when my children start to become confident in their skills, like reading and writing. It is so gratifying when a child finally achieves a goal and seeing them so excited and proud of themselves. I also love when my former students come to see me for a hug, a chat, or just to say, “Hi.” I also love when I can be helpful to other teachers. Helping them with a situation or child in crisis makes me feel good. My favorite thing to do is read stories to my students — I think they love that most, too. :)
I keep students engaged by … giving them movement breaks, playing music in the classroom, sharing my own stories with them, and making a community in our classroom. They like working together, and I love rewarding their efforts.
Something else I’m passionate about is … my family. I love being a mom and bonus mom to my stepchildren. I am a “Mimi” to our grandson, which I love.
My favorite teacher and subject to study in school was … I have so many! Probably the top five that really inspired me are Linda Bennett (first grade, Tolono Primary), Mary Ellen Page (eighth-grade English and Drama Club sponsor, Tolono Jr. High), Sharon Warnes (music teacher grades K-4, Tolono Primary), Jay Rogers (chorus teacher ninth-12th, Tolono UHS) and Margret Menner (third grade, Tolono Primary).
My favorite subject to study in school was home economics in high school. Those classes taught me to sew, budget, cook and, ultimately, teach little children.
If I weren’t a teacher, I would be … I really don’t know. I am a wedding coordinator part time with a company my husband and I run called A+ Entertainment. I love working with brides and helping DJ with my husband. So, maybe I would do that more than part time?
— ANTHONY ZILIS