QCEA Celebrates Retirees! Kristen Newill

  As we wrap up the school year, since we can't celebrate in person, QCEA wants to virtually celebrate all of our retirees. We thank them for their years of dedication and service, and we wish them all the best in retirement! 

Name: Kristen Newill 

Current Assignment: Pfaff, 1st Grade

Number of Years in Education: 34

Number of Years Teaching in Quakertown: 34

Which building(s) have you worked in? Tohickon Valley, Richland, Pfaff

What will you miss the most about teaching? There are so many things that I will miss about teaching - my colleagues, collaboration, reading out loud to my 1st graders, the busyness of each day in my classroom, watching children work and play together, children creating and writing their own stories, listening to children share their daily news, and so much more. Most of all, I will miss those "ah-ha!" moments when a child realizes he did something all by himself for the first time - reading that first word, writing a sentence that we can both read, solving a tough math problem. The look of surprise, joy, excitement, and pride at being a learner is priceless! Those are the moments that I will always cherish.

What will you miss the least about teaching? Honestly, it will be the paperwork. My teacher's heart just wants to dig in to learning with the kids, have conferences and conversations with them, and interact completely in all of their learning activities. Having to do paperwork takes valuable time that could be spent creating and crafting lessons and learning activities for the students.

What is your happiest memory from your time in Quakertown? Where to start? There are so many that it's hard to select just one. However, the District graciously granted me a sabbatical a few years ago in which I obtained a writing and literacy certificate from Penn State and also became a National Writing Fellow. I was able to use what I learned as a Writing Fellow and infuse it into the reading and writing programs in my classroom. The learning outcomes of my students were phenomenal! I will always be grateful for this opportunity to learn and grow just like my students.

What advice do you have for teachers? My advice for teachers, new and seasoned, is to find a balance. Being a teacher can easily become all-consuming. Find a balance that works for you - family, friends, teaching, you. Don't forget to take care of YOU! Give yourself the grace and peace needed to move forward in to each new day knowing that you are doing the best that you can to balance your life.

 What are you retirement plans? First, I will be giving myself a few months to settle in to my new "normal." There are so many things that I want to do: spend more time with my grandchildren, children, and my parents; continue my church work, especially with planning Rejoicing Spirits services (a service for people who are differently-abled); becoming trained as a family support for hospice care; volunteer to rock babies at LVHN; expand my gardens; make a dent in my HUGE reading list; travel with my husband (Ireland is first on the list!).