Teacher of year enjoys helping children grow

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

As far back as Kerry Flaherty can remember, she wanted to be an elementary school teacher. Her dream finally came true nine years ago when she began working for the Byron school district at Discovery Bay Elementary.
Since then, she has moved on to Timber Point Elementary School in Discovery Bay.
"I have always wanted to teach early elementary school," Flaherty said.
This year, she was named the district's teacher of the year.
Flaherty teaches second grade at Timber Point, and also has taught kindergarten and first grade. She said she was honored to be chosen for the award by her peers.
Flaherty has been instrumental in implementing the Early Intervention for School Success (EISS) program at Timber Point. She explained that the EISS program offers teachers and support staff tips for providing students with successful learning experiences.
The program is designed to help students' development through collaboration among the child's family, school and community.
"The program is essential by intervening with struggling readers and getting them help when they are young," Flaherty said.
Flaherty said second grade is such an important time in a child's education, as they are learning to read. She enjoys working with children and helping them grow and learn.
"Whether they are struggling or advanced, it is always an exciting process watching them improve their reading," she said.
While she likes teaching students how to read, she also enjoys teaching children all subjects at this age.
Flaherty said that many people think of Byron as a small school district with small classroom sizes, but that isn't the case. This year, the number of students in each classroom increased, but Flaherty believes the staff will excel nonetheless.
"We have a great staff at Timber Point," Flaherty said. "We have a wonderful, collaborative teaching community."
and activities for the elementary school. She said that involvement in a variety of programs is what makes the team approach work at Krey.
"There have been so many opportunities and experiences with students that have enriched my life," she said.
Leach was one of the three finalists in the Contra Costa County School District's Teacher of the Year Award competition. At the dinner two weeks ago she gave a speech where she told fellow colleagues and guests that it is important to focus on the students. (Michele Lamons, a Pinole Valley High School English and sign language teacher, was named the Contra Costa County teacher of the year.)
"Investing in relationships with the students makes the best effort for the children," she said.
Leach said working with students for the past nine years at Krey has provided many valuable lessons.
"So many stories we share as teachers every day. Sometimes there are big, important things we learn from students here and there, sometimes they are small milestones, still just as important," she said. "All of them make up a complete professional package."