ROSCOE (WREX) -
Making Shakespeare interesting to a classroom of teenagers is a tough task. However, one teacher at Willowbrook Middle School knows just the trick to keep the classics from falling flat.
Crazy hats...cartoons reenactments and an upbeat teacher is why two students nominated Mrs. Kelli Houghton for our teacher of the week.
Emily Green and Paige Marszalec wanted WREX to know that Mrs. Houghton is the...and I quote "the bomb". But here is the major reason why... "We think she is enjoyable because she has entertaining and creative lessons. There is never a day where you think to yourself and say "hmmm what did I learn in reading class today?" Because you always learn something fun and new."
Even Mrs. Houghton knows that it is hard to grab the attention of a teenager, but she says it's all about the connection you have with your class. She says, "We definitely approach everyday as a team effort. One of the most important things to me is making sure my kids feel welcome into my classroom, and building that repore with teenagers. Especially when you have a world where you have to compete with cell phones, video games, TV shows, reality TV...it's a big challenge. But it's fun! I love my job, I love coming here everyday. I get to play again. I don't think anybody can complain about that."
And with the help from a former teacher of the week (aka her classroom neighbor), Mrs. Houghton was just tickled with this honor from her students.
"I am so honored that they even stepped outside the classroom and really thought about their teachers and how we make a difference. Its very humbling and I'm very honored" says Mrs. Houghton.
