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Schools

Parkway Central Middle Teacher Treats Students, Staff Like Family

Carol Lena has taught at Central Middle School for 13 years.

Carol Lena has been selected as the Teacher of the Year. Lena, who is a Special School District (SSD) resource teacher, said she was humbled by the announcement. “I’m in awe of many teachers in this school. Forty names come to mind. The caliber of teachers is so great, and it’s nice to know they think that much of you as a colleague,” she said.

Lena completed her student teaching experience in English, but instead chose to work in special education. Even with the greater academic needs in special education classes, she said she felt it was the best place for her to reach students. She said smaller class sizes allow her to know her students and make a difference. “As an SSD teacher, I get to know the whole child,” Lena said.

Lena encourages parents of her students to provide input on what’s happening outside the classroom. If a child is doing well in an extracurricular activity or acting out at home, Lena wants to know.

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“Kids try to hold it together at school. Once they get home, they may be unable to hold it together any longer. That may be when stress is released,” Lena said. “The education process is a team effort between the teacher and parent. Communication and trust are very important.”

As a Central Middle teacher for 13 years, Lena thinks of the school, and its staff and students, as part of her home and family. She takes the family philosophy seriously.

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“Parents are sending me their babies, so I ask myself, ‘Would I want my child in this classroom?’” she said.

Her teaching philosophy is simple. “I want the kids to leave my room better than when they entered. Each day I wonder what breakthroughs I might see in the students.”

“Carol is entirely invested in a student's success, so when the student achieves something awesome, she takes home the thought at night that ‘We did this, together,’ ” said Michael Baugus, principal at Central Middle. 

Lena was instrumental in Central Middle becoming a positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS) school. Instead of focusing on punishing negative behavior, PBIS schools set specific expectations for student behavior and reward positive behavior that meets those expectations. At Central Middle, those expectations are called the "Colt's Code."  Lena co-chaired the school's PBIS committee. 

“As a result, administrators and teachers cite the positive behavior that they see in the classrooms and hallways,” Baugus said.

Lena is a graduate of Parkway South High School. She said she loved the district enough to move her family so her children could attend Parkway schools. She has a son at Wren Hollow Elementary and a daughter at the Early Childhood Center. In her free time, Lena serves as leader for her son’s Tiger Scout den. She also enjoys relaxing with her digital video recorder.

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