Profiles in Achievement

Celebrating Educators
Christine Nowacki, Reading Specialist
Wales Elementary School—Wales, MA

"Teach and re-teach in a variety of ways.  Find what approach fits a child and use it!”

As a fifth grader in Feeding Hills, MA Christine Nowacki’s class was read Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, by Robert C. O’Brien. At that point, “I fell in love with books”, which in turn inspired Ms. Nowacki to become a reading teacher.

Since that time, Ms. Nowacki has had many opportunities during her 14 years in the classroom to inspire students with her own style of teaching. “Really, what’s helped me successfully work with so many students is the fact that I’ve become adept at implementing a variety of reading strategies. Since one particular technique does not work for each student, I work to find the one that best fits a particular child.” Techniques Ms. Nowacki incorporates include using rubrics and graphic organizers. She also keeps up with the latest best practices and finds modeling and coaching in literacy practices is very helpful.

One particular first grader arrived to Ms. Nowacki’s class lacking many reading readiness skills. “I found that connecting reading with writing really helped this student,” she recalled. “Writing in the sand is one creative approach. And incorporating explicit instruction using sight words word wall activities, and leveled books all came together to bring this student on grade level with the necessary skills. An assessment guide helped me to monitor the student’s progress throughout the year.”

“When a student eagerly and appropriately integrates what they’ve learned to their reading, or to their conversations, I know that I’ve been successful, and that I’ve used the right materials and approaches.”

And the best part of teaching for Ms. Nowacki? “When a student smiles at me and says ‘Thank you!’. I know I was able to reach them.”

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