The Warm, Welcoming Classroom of West Elementary Site Teacher of the Year, Shea Taber

There is a calm, quiet warmth in the 2nd grade classroom of Shea Taber. Some believe the Site Teacher of the Year at Jenks West Elementary must have a magic wand to create such a focused, inviting atmosphere. But after 17 years of teaching at West, Mrs. Taber knows it’s all about investing time at the beginning of the year to build mutual respect, establish expectations of kindness, and continuously model those attributes for her students. From there, it is the relationships with students, families, and colleagues that keep her coming back to the classroom year after year. It is the satisfaction of watching students stretch their thinking and discover what they are truly capable of becoming.