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Fourth grade teacher at Southwest Elementary
What inspired you to become a teacher?
Her grandmother, Pat Jones, and her aunt, Kari Jones, are both teachers. Tibbetts has known since preschool that she would become a teacher — she would line up all her babydolls and teach to them. Several of her teachers in the Pratt school district, including Nancy Brown-McClain, Dinah Hurt, Jimmy Lee and Mike Couch, have served as role models and mentors.
What is your teaching style and why is it effective?
The foundation of good teaching, Tibbetts said, is building a rapport with students and learning what motivates them, and then using what she knows about their interests to build lesson plans. She is a big believer in hands-on and cooperative learning, and integrating subjects.
“KIds respond to the teacher,” she said. “If you can convey your passion they will buy into it.”
She also said, “I model everything for my kids,” and “I will never be done learning.”
What are your other interests and/or hobbies?
Tibbetts enjoys spending time with her family, she likes to work out every night, and likes to play with her two miniature dachshund dogs. Shopping for her wedding next spring takes up some of her time. A high school athlete, Tibbetts is interested in sports and enjoys watching games on TV. She and fiance Andrew Hanvey maintain a friendly rivalry — she’s a loyal K-State fan and he roots for Oklahoma University.
More about Ms. Tibbetts
Experience Second grade teacher in Manhattan public school for three years, English as Second Language teacher at Skyline School for one year.
Hometown Pratt
Education Bachelor’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis in special education from Kansas Sate University. She expects to complete a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from KSU in 2011
Family Parents, Jed and Darci Tibbetts; one brother; fiance, Andrew Hanvey
Fourth grade teacher at Southwest Elementary
What inspired you to become a teacher?
Her grandmother, Pat Jones, and her aunt, Kari Jones, are both teachers. Tibbetts has known since preschool that she would become a teacher — she would line up all her babydolls and teach to them. Several of her teachers in the Pratt school district, including Nancy Brown-McClain, Dinah Hurt, Jimmy Lee and Mike Couch, have served as role models and mentors.
What is your teaching style and why is it effective?
The foundation of good teaching, Tibbetts said, is building a rapport with students and learning what motivates them, and then using what she knows about their interests to build lesson plans. She is a big believer in hands-on and cooperative learning, and integrating subjects.
“KIds respond to the teacher,” she said. “If you can convey your passion they will buy into it.”
She also said, “I model everything for my kids,” and “I will never be done learning.”
What are your other interests and/or hobbies?
Tibbetts enjoys spending time with her family, she likes to work out every night, and likes to play with her two miniature dachshund dogs. Shopping for her wedding next spring takes up some of her time. A high school athlete, Tibbetts is interested in sports and enjoys watching games on TV. She and fiance Andrew Hanvey maintain a friendly rivalry — she’s a loyal K-State fan and he roots for Oklahoma University.
More about Ms. Tibbetts
Experience Second grade teacher in Manhattan public school for three years, English as Second Language teacher at Skyline School for one year.
Hometown Pratt
Education Bachelor’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis in special education from Kansas Sate University. She expects to complete a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from KSU in 2011
Family Parents, Jed and Darci Tibbetts; one brother; fiance, Andrew Hanvey
