Teacher spotlight

Editor's note: This is a continuation of the "Teacher Spotlight" series.

There are some “tricks of the trade” and advice Sue Body has when it comes to teaching young children.

“I try to use a lot of humor and I try to keep my energy level really high,” Body said. “And, if I see kids who are kind of off task, this afternoon we got up and exercised for awhile.”

Body, a third grade teacher at Clarke, has jobs for each student, and one of them is delegated the “Movement Master.”

When there is a lull in the day, the student helps lead the other classmates in jumping jacks, grasshoppers and push ups to get everybody moving, focused and back on task.

“Just trying to keep it fun and high energy for me to keep them engaged, I find, helps,” Body said.

Background

Body grew up on a farm in northwest Iowa, north of Sac City, and went to school at Iowa State University.

While looking for jobs in education, Body knew she wanted to stay in central Iowa. A job opened at Clarke and she applied for it.

Currently, Body is in her 32nd year of teaching in the school district.

She started as a sixth grade teacher and went on to teach a TAG (talented and gifted) program.

At one point, Body made the decision to adopt a little girl who was born in Peru. As a single parent, Body said she couldn’t do justice to the TAG program and devote adequate time to raise her daughter.

That’s when she went back to teaching just sixth grade. Over the years, Body has often switched from teaching sixth grade and third grade levels.

Enjoys the most

Body said what she enjoys most about teaching elementary students is the excitement they have for learning and when new things click in their minds.

“We were talking today about water and the water cycle, and the fact that the water we have on earth has been here for billions of years,” she said. “And, the water you’re drinking today is the same water that a dinosaur drank. Their eyes got so big … and to process that and think about that, they were excited.”

Science and social studies are the two areas of curriculum Body really likes to teach because of being able to do experiments or bring in visual aids to the classroom.

“My very, very favorite time of day is reading to the kids after recess — enjoying a great book and trying to bring that to life for the kids,” Body said.

This can lead to discussions about the characters are doing the right thing and making good choices.

One of Body’s favorite books she shares is “Shiloh,” which was a gift from her own parents. She likes the book because the main character is a child who has to make tough decisions about a beloved dog.

Learning as a teacher

With more than three decades of experience, there are many lessons about education Body herself has learned along the way.

“I think it’s really important to stay positive,” she said. “I think it’s important to keep learning as a teacher, keep perfecting your craft, be open to new ideas, new ways of doing things.”

She added, it’s important to maintain enthusiasm for the profession.

“Early in my career, I worked with a teacher who seemed kind of burnt out, and I can remember thinking I don’t ever want to be in that position that I felt that way,” Body said. “So, to stay positive and moving forward, keep learning (and) be flexible. Because, things do change.”