Tamara Salisbury

My first year after my bachelor's, I substitute taught while I got my master's degree. I then taught my first three years in a small Kansas town, where I was the only teacher for 7th and 8th grade language arts and the adviser for the high school yearbook. Now, I'm teaching sophomore English, a dual-credit college composition 1 and 2 course, senior English, and I am the adviser for the Student Publications.

My teaching style is very casual and student-led. You could call it organized chaos. Step into my room, and you might see students discussing and working together, researching and discovering, while I walk around and help those who need help. We do a lot of discussion and small group work, as well as individual projects with student choice. Even reading out loud involves stopping frequently to answer questions together or discuss. I rarely lecture, and whenever I do, it is highly interactive. The students are always participating more than simply taking notes.

I was my district's nominee for the Horizon Award, an award specifically for first-year teachers. My students in 2016 gave me the "Smiley Award".

I graduated with my B.S. in secondary education (emphasis in English and journalism) from Kansas State University in May 2009. I then got my M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction (emphasis in reading/language arts) in May 2010, also from Kansas State University. EMAW! Go Cats!

I got married in 2008, and my oldest was born in 2012 followed by twins in 2014. I love teaching, and while I always dread the end of the summer because I know I will soon be away from my kids and busy with work, once we get into the semester, I always remember how much I really do love my job. I can't imagine doing anything else.