The PAEMST experience has changed me! I have learned to translate my beliefs into action and increased my desire to improve. It has nudged me to move outside my comfort zone and embrace the "butterfly" moments. It is an honor and a responsibility to be an Awardee, and I am excited to be part of the educational conversation during this pivotal time! Thank you PAEMST and NSF for opening doors and giving me the opportunity to help shape the future. Eureka.

Karen Nesbit Franklin, WI | K-6, Science, 2008

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Karen Nesbit, a teacher for 23 years, has taught in the Franklin Public Schools District since 1990. She currently teaches first grade as part of a kindergarten through first grade loop at Pleasant View Elementary School. Ms. Nesbit's classroom reflects her philosophy that learning is fun. Students learn by playing in a child-centered environment that offers opportunities to experiment. To facilitate this practice, she creates centers that children are allowed to visit multiple times to experience the repetition necessary to master a new skill or concept. Ms. Nesbit structures class time so that all time spent at the centers contributes to some aspect of student growth. Her students are also able to explore their environment through each of the five senses. For example, to support units on living and growing, students observe the wonder of spring chicks hatching from their eggs. Ms. Nesbit's colleagues praise her creativity and ability to adjust instruction to meet student needs as outstanding. She uses the background knowledge and experiences that students bring to the classroom to help shape learning activities. She meets the needs of individual children by providing open-ended activities where they can work at their own level. Ms. Nesbit is mindful of the effects that her actions have on her students. She encourages them to become thinkers by involving them in decisionmaking and problem-solving. Her classroom provides a secure atmosphere of caring where mistakes are used as learning opportunities. Outside the classroom, Ms. Nesbit seeks to improve her teaching through coursework, reading, and professional collaboration with colleagues, inspiring them to improve as well. Ms. Nesbit has a B.S. in early childhood education from the University of Wisconsin and an M.A. in teaching from Aurora University. She is certified in early childhood through third grade education and is a National Board Certified Teacher.

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