Michigan International Speedway presents the Onsted Teacher of the Month
By Alaina Ellison, Principal, Onsted Middle School
and John Hummer, Editor, IrishHillsLive.com
Sixth grade is a level where fostering independence is key, and Stefanie Wetherby makes sure her lessons and instruction support this in her classroom at Onsted Middle School.
“Stefanie is not afraid to allow students to lead discussions and take ownership of their learning,” says Alaina Ellison, principal at Onsted Middle School.
This is Stefanie’s 13th year of teaching – all at Onsted Community Schools, and all at the middle school. She has taught all three grade levels, sixth through eighth. She currently teaches 6th and 8th grade English Language Arts. She also has children in Onsted schools – one in high school and one at the middle school.
“It’s nice to be on the same schedule that they are on,” she says.
Students are inspired to learn in Stefanie’s classes as her teaching methods are genuine, sincere, and fun, while focused.
“Stefanie has many skills which are beneficial to teaching including her creativity and innovation,” Ellison said. “She will not settle for repeating lessons for the sake of ease. Rather, she strives to raise the bar for students, and focuses on teaching independent skills.”
But the only way to do that is by getting to know the kids first.
“You have to know the students before you can teach them anything,” Stefanie says. “You have to be able to incorporate their personalities into what you’re doing in order to make sure you’re successful in teaching them, and they’re successful in learning what you want them to learn.”
Stefanie grew up in Greenwich, Ohio and graduated from South Central High School in the same town.
“It’s in the middle of nowhere,” she said. “It’s farm country.” She said the nearest reference point is Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.
Following high school, Stefanie earned her bachelor’s degree in English at Adrian College and received her secondary teaching certification there as well. She went on to obtain a master’s degree online from Walden University in Maryland.
Stefanie has joined the District Transformation Zone at Onsted Community Schools this year and is excited to advance Onsted Middle School’s work in Literacy and MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports). She is looking forward to using her expertise from her master’s program to not only improve the content area in her classroom but also throughout the building and district.
“Most exciting is her work to incorporate literacy teaching across the curriculum,” said Ellison. “Onsted Middle School is so fortunate to have Stefanie Wetherby on staff and we look forward to her contributions for years to come.”
It sounds like that will be the case.
“I really enjoy my job and I enjoy seeing the kids every day,” she says. “They are what make it worthwhile coming in here.”
