Pankratz Named Teacher of the Year

Madison Pankratz, staffInspirational. Dedicated. Passionate.

The 2015-2016 district-wide teacher of the year, Melissa Pankratz, could be described as all of these things. In order to be selected for teacher of the year, community members must nominate the teacher of their choice and find fellow members to write letters of recommendation in support of their nomination.

Once the nomination has been made, the letters of recommendation and application are sent to a committee consisting of administrators and school board members. Committee members look for exceptional teachers that are skilled and dedicated. This year’s teacher of the year has proven to attain all of those qualities.

“Melissa fosters a positive relationship between her and the students and encourages mutual respect between students as well. She has an ability to reach students at all levels. With an empathetic eye, she helps students make connections that encourage them to take ownership of their own learning and become lifelong learners,” Sturgis Elementary School instructor Debby Neiman said.

Pankratz has been a teacher in the Meade School District for ten years, teaching kindergarten, fourth and third grade. Currently teaching third grade, Pankratz works to challenge her students and find new ways to keep them engaged in the classroom. Not only does she work to inspire students, but her students inspire her as well.

“My students teach me something new each day. They push me well past my comfort zone and persuade me to try new ideas or consider new perspectives that I may not have ever encountered if I were not a teacher,” Pankratz said.

Born and raised in South Dakota, Pankratz has grown up in Meade School District. For high school she attended SBHS, and then she proceeded to get both bachelors and masters degrees in education from Black Hills State University.

Since her elementary school days, Pankratz knew she wanted to be a teacher.

Pankratz said, “Teaching has shaped every aspect of my life. As a teacher, you are constantly wondering and worrying about your students- both from an academic standpoint and an individual standpoint. In addition to thinking about your students, you are also on a quest for lessons that are going to make your content exciting and engaging. I have made it a professional goal to do something with my students every day that is exciting for me to teach and for them to learn. For me, there was not a specific moment when I knew I wanted this occupation. I think teaching has just always been my passion and what I wanted to pursue.”

Now an elementary school teacher, Pankratz uses her past experiences and her knowledge of the field to inspire other students and hopefully make a lasting impact in their lives.

“I hope my students remember me as someone who loved and believed in them. Perhaps someone who taught them how to think, not what to think, and as someone who encouraged them to find something that they loved learning about,” Pankratz said.

With new curriculum and standards, Pankratz demonstrates extraordinary teaching skills by creating a fun atmosphere for her students.

“Melissa has the ability to develop unique activities that engage students in learning. She goes far beyond the ‘curriculum’ and ‘standards.’ Melissa drives students to take their knowledge and apply those skills for a deeper understanding of concepts. She creates an environment where students become responsible for their own learning through meaningful activities,” Neiman said.

Community member Kindra Gordon said, “We appreciate Mrs. Pankratz’s continual quest in finding new and engaging activities to incorporate into the classroom to enhance student learning and keep kids interested. She is a teacher who is clearly dedicated to ensuring the success of each student in her classroom.”

Pankratz and many more teachers of Meade School District will be recognized on May 11 at the recognition and retirement banquet.

For more information about teacher of the year nomination opportunities visit http://meade.k12.sd.us.