Educators
WATERLOO SCHOOLS’ KYLE KUHLERS NAMED AS FINALIST FOR THE 2022 PROMETHEUS AWARDS
Waterloo, IA – The Technology Association of Iowa released their list of this year’s Prometheus Awards finalists, including Waterloo Career Center Computer Science Teacher, Kyle Kuhlers, who is a finalist for Computer Science Teacher of the Year. There are five finalists in the category, who represent the best of the best in today’s computer science educators across the state of Iowa.
“It is to no one’s surprise that Kyle has been named as a finalist for the Computer Science Educator of the Year award,” said Dr. Jared Smith, Waterloo Community School District Superintendent. “Kyle has been an amazing teacher and advocate for students and would be a very worthy choice for this award.”
Kuhlers has been teaching with Waterloo Schools for the past four years at the Waterloo Career Center, and has nearly two decades of experience in education. He was awarded the Gold Star Award for Outstanding Teacher earlier this year by the McElroy Trust.
“Teaching in Waterloo has changed my teaching and my perspective, kind of my whole thought process about education to be a lot more collaborative and a lot more business-engaged in the classroom,” Kuhlers said. “My students interact with the graphic design students and the marketing students on projects, so it’s not just computer science – they’re getting to see and work with other students through cross curricular opportunities.”
Amy Miehe, the Lead Administrator for the Waterloo Career Center says that Kuhlers is a dedicated teacher who puts in many hours to go above and beyond for his students, providing them with a competitive advantage in the technology industry. “He works hard to build and strengthen business partnerships to provide students with real-world, hands-on experiences,” said Miehe. “Kyle has a gift of building relationships and it is reflected in the many achievements of his students. We are so proud of him!”
According to Kuhlers, a large part of his role in education is encouraging students to try things, and make mistakes while they’re learning in a safe environment. “For students interested in tech, I would tell you to just do it,” said Kuhlers. “Too many times I hear, ‘I’m not smart enough,’ or ‘I don’t know if I can do it or not,’ just try it. You find your passion, you dig in, and then you’re never going to leave it. My biggest advice is to just do it. Jump in and see if you like it, and if you don’t like it, try something else.”
The Prometheus Award Ceremony will be held on November 3, 2022, at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, at 833 5th Ave, Des Moines, Iowa 50309. The reception will commence at 5:00 PM with a cocktail hour, followed by the awards ceremony at 6:00 PM.
About the Waterloo Career Center
The Waterloo Career Center is an opportunity for Waterloo, Iowa high school students and some surrounding schools, to explore 14 different career programs. Students experience a competitive advantage where passions meet professions.
About Waterloo Community School District
The Waterloo Schools community commits to a comprehensive system of education and support to assure that each and every student will graduate prepared for college, career, and citizenship as evidenced by continuing education, pursuing a career path, and contributing to a community.
Reading 20 Minutes a Day: The Impact of a Lifetime
Did you know that a child who begins reading with a loved one for only twenty minutes a day in kindergarten will hear approximately 1.8 million words a year? And then, if the child continues reading twenty minutes a day up to sixth grade, they will have collectively read for 851 hours! Just imagine how many worlds, experiences, and stories 1.8 million words can create.
Children’s books such as Rainbow Fish, Oh the Places You’ll Go, and Stacey’s Extraordinary Words, inspire students at a young age to explore their imaginations and create excitement and kindness throughout their lives. Later on, young adult fiction stories like, You Should See Me in a Crown, Turtles all the Way Down, and Tuck Everlasting, give readers a resounding message of ‘You are not alone,’ in a time when young people need to hear it the most.
“Reading is relaxing,” commented Roxxane Kincaid, West High Library Clerk. “Books can take you into your own world and take you anywhere you want to go. With books, everyone can relate to their own experiences.” Edna Kovac, West High Student and Library Co-op Participant, agreed, adding, “Yes! I feel like reading helps calm me down when I’m stressed.”
In addition to helping teens and children learn more about the world around them, reading for twenty minutes a day is also shown to help improve reading skills as measured by the school’s standardized tests.
Thankfully, our schools’ Media Specialists are ready to help our students each step of the way, finding books and authors that are relatable, informative, and geared toward students’ individual reading preferences.
West High School: Edna Kovac, Sierra Meeks, Alyssa Bruecken, and Roxanne Kincaid
“Students look for books that reflect their experiences,” said Bruecken, Library Integrationist.
- Such a Fun Age, by Kiley Reid
- Reclaim the Stars: 17 Tales Across Realms & Space, Edited by Vita Ayala
- White Smoke, by Tiffany D. Jackson
- Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, by Bryan Stevenson
- Fighting Words, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
East High School: Meghan Sullivan & Denise George
“Reading helps students feel more connected, less isolated, and more engaged,” commented Sullivan, Technology Integration Specialist
- Where the Crawdad’s Sing, by Delia Owens
- Ordinary Hazards, by Nikki Grimes
- Akata Woman, by Nnedi Okorafor
- Dear John, Nicholas Sparks
- A Child Called “It”, by Dave Pelzer
- Took: A Ghost Story, by Mary Downing Hahn
Bunger Middle School: Kristen Hinders
“Books can build trust and help kids open up through their individual interests,” shared Hinders, Technology Integration Specialist.
- Efrén Divided, by Ernesto Cisneros
- Redwood and Ponytail, K.A. Holt
- Lifting as We Climb: Black Women’s Battle for the Ballot Box, by Evette Dionne
Madison Heusinkvelt – Poyner Elementary
“If we can make kids interested in being lifelong readers, then we are also helping them to become lifelong learners!” noted Heusinkvelt, Media Specialist.
- The Rabbit Listened, by Cori Doerrfeld
- The Very Impatient Caterpillar, by Ross Burach
- Small Spaces, by Katerine Arden
Whether it’s getting inspired with books about life experiences, enjoying graphic novels that share heartwarming stories, or re-reading old favorites before they make their big screen debut, we all read for a variety of reasons. Kincaid may have said it best, “Reading helps us all come together.”
