Lincoln Elementary fifth-grade teacher molds inquisitive, prepared students.
Each month, Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe recognizes one local teacher within the Gallup area for his or her determination to help students go above and beyond. Prospective teachers are nominated by students who feel they deserve to be recognized. This month, Amanda Skobow of Lincoln Elementary school is the recipient of the Teacher of the Month award.
Skobow works hard to engage her students and help them develop a love of learning. She has a passion for science and math and tries to spark an interest in her students for the world around them and how it works.
“Science can be super hands-on, and it’s such a cool topic to have kids explore,” she said. “I love watching how my students are in awe of what the world is made out of.
“They wonder about how big space is and just let their imaginations fly,” Skobow said.
The principal of Lincoln Elementary School, Dr. Edgardo Castro, said he appreciates the effort Skobow invests in engaging her students. Through kinesthetic strategies that keep kids from sitting at their desks for long periods, to auditory strategies such as classroom discussion, Dr. Castro has recognized that Skobow wastes no time in her class.
“I truly believe that all those students in Ms. Skowbow’s classroom are ready to step up on day one when they arrive at middle school,” he said.
Like teachers across the world, Skobow has faced unique challenges due to the pandemic. However, the challenges she faced before, while teaching overseas, prepared her to meet them.
While teaching in Ghana, sometimes she would only have one textbook for the entire class, but she learned to make the best of her circumstances.
“Even with few resources, you can still make a large impact just by getting to know the students and making them feel valued and welcomed for who they are,” Skobow said.
Skobow not only takes a leadership role in her classroom, but with her fellow teachers as well. She is trained as a support expert for the platform the school uses to track grades, so she can be a resource for others.
“I was extremely glad she took the responsibility because Amanda went through a rigorous training series of seminars for her to gain that expertise and then relay that to the teachers at Lincoln,” Dr. Castro said.
Skobow continues to learn and grow as a teacher by consulting with her colleagues and reading books. Ultimately, what keeps her motivated is what made her fall in love with the profession in the first place—the students.
“I’ve loved every class I’ve taught. On the hardest days, it’s the students who make me want to keep helping them and keep becoming a better teacher,” she said.
By Rachel Pfeiffer
Sun Correspondent
