Asbury University Educator of the Month: Shanda Warthman

First grade teacher Shanda Warthman describes herself as tough when it comes to education. No doubt she runs a structured, efficient classroom where success takes root every day.

But tough? How tough can she be when she plays gentle instrumental music in the morning to create a calm atmosphere?

Tough? She allows successful students to choose their seats in a classroom that features standing desks, wobble stools and bean bag chairs.

And, she leads her students in daily Zumba exercises because first graders need to move.

With all the singing and dancing that takes place in her classroom at Southside Elementary in Versailles, Warthman seems more like Mary Poppins than a drill instructor.

It’s not surprising that music permeates Warthman’s classroom. She entered college as a French horn-playing music major before she switched to elementary education.

“I like music and children learn better with music,” she said.

That’s job one for Warthman – finding ways to get children to learn better.

“Shanda, like all great teachers, is never set on one way of doing things,” Southside Principal Jason McAllister said. “She is the best she can be with what techniques she has but is open-minded when it comes to new ways to give her kids an edge in the classroom.”

Said Warthman: “Education is changing constantly and I need to push myself so that my students can be the best they can be. I get excited by new things that can help my students learn.”

Warthman worked for a few years in fifth grade but returned to first grade because of the growth that students experience in that grade.

“Some kids go from not recognizing letters to reading in one year,” she said. “The growth, emotionally socially and academically, is quite staggering.”

With 17 years experience in the classroom – the past 11 at Southside – Warthman is a leader on campus. Five years ago, she was the Woodford County Teacher of the Year.

She’s one of the leads on the school curriculum committee and has directed professional development sessions on guided reading. Twice, she has attended conferences in Columbus, Ohio on the subject.

She thrives on working with student-teachers and those just beginning their careers. It’s all about giving back, she said. “I was really, really blessed with great people who mentored me so I love working with younger teachers.”