Meet Russell Teacher Kim Scheck

Marple Newtown Patch is featuring great teachers in the Marple Newtown area who deserve some spotlight. Teachers give a lot to their students, schools and studies and we'd like to recognize them and say a simple, thank you, for all that they do. Meet this 10-year teacher who started off working in marketing and then wound up teaching to make a diffrence in children's lives.

Name: Kim Scheck

School: Russell Elementary School

Grade/Subject: First Grade

Years in the Industry: This is my 10th year.  I taught in Upper Darby for five years. This is my fifth year at Russell.

Teaching History: 

I did not start out as a teacher. I received my bachelor’s degree from Shippensburg University in business. I worked as an account executive for a small direct marketing advertising agency for three years. I then went to West Chester University to get my teaching certification (and eventually my master’s degree). 

I student taught in Upper Darby, sixth grade at Beverly Hills Middle School and second grade at Bywood Elementary School. I then was hired at BHMS to teach seventh-grade language arts and math. My second year there I helped pilot a program called Process Skills.  I worked with both seventh- and eighth-grade students. I was responsible for helping create the curriculum for this program.  After three years with the program, I requested a change and was offered the opportunity to teach first grade at Primos Elementary School.  

Iwas fortunate enough to be able to stay home and raise my two daughters Jacqueline (now 12) and Hannah (now 9). While home, I taught classes at Gymboree Play and Music. I also taught a three-year-old and a four-year-old preschool class. When Hannah was entering kindergarten, I interviewed for an extra fourth-grade teaching position at Russell and was fortunate enough to be hired. After that year, my position was no longer needed. I was offered a fifth-grade position or a first-grade position. I chose first and have been happy here ever since!

What do you like most about your job? 

It is hard to choose just one thing! I love the people I work with every day.  I am fortunate to work with some outstanding teachers/support staff. The parents in Russell School are incredibly involved and supportive. The kids are enthusiastic and fun to be around. I also love seeing the growth a student makes during the school year. This, especially in first grade, is so prominent.

Why did you become a teacher? 

I became a teacher because it is a career that truly makes a difference in lives. I am always overwhelmed when  a parent or a child tells me that something I did helped to change them for the better. It is a special occupation that I feel blessed to be able to have.

What do you like best about your current school (projects, programs or activities that your school is a part of): 

Russell has a lot of dedicated personnel. I am proud of our RTii program. The teachers work together to help the students maximize their individual progress through very targeted instruction. I am proud of our Writer’s Workshop. This is something new we started last year. The teachers have been working on helping the children really see themselves as “book makers.” The students love the time spent making and sharing the books they have created.  

I am proud of the PTO-sponsored events such as the Fun Fair and BINGO.  These parents work so hard making these events entertaining for the Russell students and families. I am proud of the events organized by the teachers, such as: Field Day, Evening of the Arts, musical concerts, visiting authors, ELL Night, Reading Olympics. The kids and parents enjoy these events as well. There are a lot of great things going on at Russell. I feel lucky to be a part of them!