After 30 years in the Mahomet-Seymour School District, Lincoln Trail Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Sandy Prather will retire at the end of the school year. The Danville native was hired in 1995 as a paraprofessional and substitute teacher, and six years later, she stepped into her own classroom.
Her influence, though, won’t be forgotten.
“She has devoted so much of herself, time and energy into her students over the years,” Principal Megan Hunter said. “So many kids have been touched by her and have pursued teaching careers because of their time in her classroom. Sandy will be missed, and I can only hope that she will serve as a guest teacher and mentor to other teachers. She has been a mentor to me, and I have learned so much from my time in her classroom. I am happy for her as she begins this next chapter but I will certainly feel the loss of her as a teacher as well.”
I find my work important because ... it helps shape the future and allows me to pass on knowledge and skills to the next generation. As a teacher, I get to nurture young minds and help them hone their critical-thinking skills and inspire them to reach their full potential. Fifth grade is quite a transition year. I enjoy working with students as they learn to become responsible, organized and engaged members of their classrooms. I love seeing how their future unfolds as they move on to junior high and beyond.
I became a teacher because ... I love kids and watching them learn and grow. Education is a powerful thing that transforms lives. Through teaching, I can make a positive impact on the lives of my students and hopefully inspire a love for learning. I enjoy getting to know each of my students and learning about what makes them happy and how they learn best. Adapting to their different learning styles and then watching them shine is a highlight for me each and every day.
My favorite subjects to teach are ... math and social studies — which, in fifth grade, focuses on early colonial history and the Revolutionary War. Larger projects are the most rewarding. From start to finish, they can look a bit like organized chaos, but the learning that happens and the fruits of the students labor are priceless. Some favorite fifth-grade projects over the years have been the Electricity Fair, Volume Zoo and of course, the Engineer in the Classroom collaboration with the University of Illinois and engineering professionals from our community. I still love it when a video pops up in my memories of my students presenting their Rube Goldberg machine on campus to a panel of judges.
My most fulfilling moments on the job are ... when I see new friendships flourish through caring and kindness or when a student grows in confidence, determination and perseverance. Our students work hard every day and are always growing and learning more difficult concepts. Sometimes a student comes to me with an “I just can’t” mentality. Those moments when I see the light bulb light up and the student realizes “I can” are probably my most favorite moments of any day. When students turn their negatives into positives through grit and perseverance, It’s a good day! When they look in the rear-view mirror and realize they have grown as a learner and have overcome an obstacle ... that’s the best day!
I try to keep my students engaged by ... teaching methods that cater to different learning styles. I feel strongly about students needing structure and knowing what is coming next. Students are more engaged if they know what to expect in regard to a schedule. This helps me create a positive and inclusive classroom environment that is accessible to everyone. Incorporating real-world examples and making lessons relevant to their lives today helps maintain their interest as well.
Another passion of mine is ... my community. I have a deep love for the community of Mahomet. The people here embraced, supported and wrapped their arms around our family when our youngest son Matthew passed away unexpectedly in 2016. He was a senior at the high school at the time. I will always be profoundly grateful for the love and support we received. Though our town is growing and becoming less of a small town, the essence of Mahomet lies in how we treat and communicate with one another. Our interactions can either heal and uplift or cause harm and division. My hope and prayer is that as our community continues to grow, we never lose sight of the fact that it is the kindness and respect we show each other that truly define us.
My all-time favorite teacher was ...
Miss Marcia Rauum/Mrs. Marcia Dennis, my second-grade teacher at Fithian Grade School in Fithian. She is the reason I wanted to become a teacher. This was way back in the 1900s, 1972 to be exact! It was her first year teaching. I still remember her smile and the feeling I got when she welcomed me into the classroom every day. At the end of that year, she was married in a small church in our little town of Fithian. Our entire second-grade class (all 13 of us) had a special seat at the church for her wedding. A few years later, many of us from this first class visited her and her new baby boy at her home. We are still in contact today and she still has the same welcoming smile.
If I weren’t a teacher, I would be ... a nurse. Caring for others has always been close to my heart, and I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to help care for my aging parents. This experience has deepened my appreciation for compassion, patience, and the importance of supporting others.
— ANTHONY ZILIS