Celebrating The Semester

Celebrating the Semester
Posted on 01/14/2025

Teacher of the Year

As the first semester of 2024 ends, there's so much to celebrate across the Blue Springs School District and here at Paul Kinder Middle School. This semester has been about innovation, connection, and growth for our students and staff. From reimagining what engagement looks like in the classroom to fostering a culture of giving back, our district continues to show what it means to inspire, challenge, and support one another.

This semester, I had the opportunity to participate in a book club alongside several other PKMS staff members. We explored “Reimagining Student Engagement: From Disrupting to Driving,” a book that challenged us to rethink how we approach engagement. It's not just about compliance - it's about empowering students to drive their learning and connect it to something bigger than themselves. 
We've already seen glimpses of that vision coming to life. Events such as PKMS’ Egypt Day showed us the magic that happens when curiosity, creativity, and collaboration come together. Our 7th-grade students explored the connections between Ancient Egypt and modern times, weaving together lessons from ELA, social studies, and science. Students became historians and architects as they designed and built pyramids, calculated dimensions, and explored hieroglyphics. Walking through the 7th grade hallway and seeing these projects proudly displayed was a powerful reminder of how meaningful learning can be when students take ownership. This cross-curricular collaboration is mirrored across BSSD classrooms as students connect their knowledge to real world applications.

Caring for our community has also been a considerable focus this semester, not just at PKMS, but throughout the district. Our National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) partnered with the PTSA to raise money for the Adopt-a-Family program, helping provide gifts and essentials for families in need during the holiday season. NJHS students organized creative fundraisers like a snowball fight and candy cane grams — bringing joy to the school while supporting a great cause. 

During one of these events, a student shared, "I know this will make someone's Christmas better." 

That simple statement stuck with me. It's easy to focus on numbers and how much was raised, but hearing students recognize the impact of their kindness reminded me how service shapes us into better people. Across BSSD, students are stepping up to serve their communities in ways that inspire hope and gratitude.

Our students' generosity didn't stop there. During Community Unity Week, Team PKMS showed up big, donating 3,634 items to the Community Services League. Thanks to this effort, PKMS earned the title of top-donating middle school in the district food drive. This success reflects the same sense of compassion and community we see throughout the Blue Springs School District — where students, staff, and families consistently come together to make a difference.

We were also treated to an incredible performance of The SpongeBob Musical by our talented Grizzlies. The show played to packed houses and showcased our students' creativity, hard work, and dedication. I couldn't help but feel excited as I watched students I've taught in the past, and those I teach now, step onto the stage and shine. Singing, dancing, and radiating confidence reminded us of the transformative power of the arts. It’s a space where students take risks, discover their voices, and feel celebrated. 

As we wrap up this first semester, I am filled with gratitude. The hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and families are what make BSSD such a special place to learn and grow.