Halfhill wants to mold lifelong learners

Kirsten Halfhill has always loved learning.

When Halfhill was young, she would play school and practice different skills she was learning, which she enjoyed doing because of her elementary school teachers.

“They made learning fun and engaging,” said Halfhill, who currently teaches kindergarten at Flat Ridge Elementary. “I want to pass on the impact of being a lifelong learner.”

One of Halfhill’s favorite teaching memories was when her students got extremely excited about learning about penguins and passed on that knowledge to their peers.

“After spending several weeks studying the life and habitat of penguins, my students wanted to tell all they had learned,” she said. “My students became ‘experts’ about penguins, and it wasn’t long until other students in different grades knew something about penguins.”

Halfhill said each day in the classroom is a chance to learn something new.

“One can always learn from others,” she said. “Students can teach me new things without ever realizing they are being ‘teachers.’”

For Halfhill, the most rewarding aspect of teaching is when her students are engaged in what they’re learning.

“It is so encouraging when students take ownership of their learning,” she said.

Halfhill doesn’t take her teaching responsibilities lightly.

“Teaching kindergarten brings the responsibility of setting up the foundation of all future learning,” she said. “Students come to school not knowing what to expect. I get the opportunity to start students off on the right path of learning.”

When Halfhill was a student, she participated in choir, musicals, National Honor Society and soccer. She enjoys doing puzzles, reading, and going to zoos and doing escape rooms with family and friends outside of the classroom.

“Teacher Spotlight” is a feature on a teacher in the East Holmes or West Holmes school districts.