Parent Teacher Magazine Gaston County Public Schools 2015 | Page 8

Teacher of the Year brings excitement to learning

With the excitement and energy Karla Endemann
brings into the classroom, it would be easy to
mistake her for a new teacher, as parents at Chapel
Grove Elementary School sometimes do.
In fact, Endemann began her career in 1996.
But she has never lost her enthusiasm for teaching
despite the challenges that come with it, such as
changes in curriculum and technology or budget
struggles that affect teachers’ salaries.
Although Endemann could use her master’s
degree to move up into an administrative job, she
has returned to her first grade classroom every year.
For Endemann, teaching isn’t just a job, but a calling.
After 17 years in the classroom, she explains,
“I’m still excited about teaching because the students
are excited about learning.”
As the 2014-2015 Gaston County Schools Teacher
of the Year, Endemann exemplifies what is being
celebrated in schools across the country for American
Education Week.
Endemann sees her job as more than teaching a
certain number of facts and skills. Beyond this, she
aims to help children enjoy learning for its own sake.
She makes sure her students know she cares about
them as people. She focuses not just on her own
classroom, but looks to mentor other teachers and
improve the school as a whole.
“When you go into her classroom, you see that energy. The children are eager to tell you about what they’re doing,” said Jenny Johnson,
principal at Chapel Grove Elementary. “If things are going wrong everywhere else, I can walk in her room and see students fully engaged in
what they’re doing, and there’s always a positive atmosphere.”
Endemann said she enjoys first grade because it’s when students learn how to read. She encourages students to focus on the process of
learning instead of the results.
“Grades are not anything to be intimidated by,” Endemann said. After a spelling test, she has her students ask themselves, “‘Did I give
100 percent, should I have tried harder?’ It’s making them take ownership of their learning.”
Endemann also “really genuinely cares about the students at the school -- not just her students,” said Karen Walsh, who teaches in the
classroom next door and sees Endemann as an important mentor. Walsh related a time when she was sick at home and wondering how her
class was doing with the substitute teacher.
“Karla texted me during the day to say, ‘Don’t worry, your students are fine -- I went in and checked on them.’”
Endemann said it’s important for students and their families to know she cares. She has a file of thank-you letters from former students
letting her know what a difference she made in their lives. They don’t usually talk about the lesson plans, Endemann said: “90 percent of the
time it has nothing to do with education, but how you treated them and made them feel.”
Endemann said she has one purpose in returning to the classroom each day.
“My goal is for my children to know that I cared about them and their education and for them to be excited about moving forward and
learning new things no matter their level,” she said. “My wish for them is to tap into their potential and find something that interests them as
much as teaching has me.”

More from Karla Endemann - Gaston County Teacher of the Year

In her 17 years with Gaston County Schools, Karla Endemann has been twice honored as her school’s Teacher of the Year, but the
appreciation goes both ways. Endemann described the support she sees at work.

What she says about Chapel Grove Elementary:

“It’s the best-kept secret in Gaston County. The community out here is amazing. It’s such a family. It’s people looking out for people.
We’re all in this together.”

What she says about Gaston County Schools:

“For me, when we talk about community schools, Gaston County exemplifies that. It’s one thing that has attracted me here and kept
me here. The county itself cares about its employees. We’re not just a number here. It’s attractive to see the money, but at the end of the
day, what’s important is when you feel valued. Gaston County does a good job of making you feel like you’re contributing to something.”

6 • Jan/Feb 2015 • Parent Teacher Magazine