December 2020 Teacher of the Month

The St. Monica Academic Excellence Committee is pleased to present Karlee Bolin with the Teacher of the Month award. In her two years at St. Monica, Mrs. Bolin’s leadership, passion for teaching, and youthful energy have brought her the recognition of being an outstanding teacher. We were overwhelmed by the number of positive comments from parents and students about their interactions with Mrs. Bolin. 

In the 2019-2020 school year, Karlee Bolin was nominated for being an energetic and innovative new teacher. She came to St. Monica with such enthusiasm for teaching 3rd grade and, in a heroic way, managed to maintain that enthusiasm all year long! In her first year, she emerged as a leader in school, quickly being recognized as a teacher who demonstrates mastery in technology and pedagogy. Numerous times, Principal Riley mentioned how pleased he was at how often he would see students moving around the classroom doing interactive activities. Her flexible seating and house points for behavior were effective and creative tools for motivating kids. 

When the school transitioned to e-learning in the spring, she continued to connect with her students in personal ways. One parent shared, “Mrs. Bolin has called more than once to check in and facetime with our son when he was reaching a level of frustration with an assignment. Today, she came to the door as part of her plan to hand-deliver a goody bag to the kids. It made his day. When the kids are on Zoom once a week, she is sure to ask them a “question of the day” to keep it fun and interactive. Not only does she care greatly, but she has put in every bit of effort when it comes to e-learning. Mrs. Bolin makes Zoom videos for each assignment, walking the kids step-by-step through the work, just as she would have done in a normal classroom environment. I cannot imagine the time that has gone into this. I appreciate all she has done to make herself available to students and parents. She sends out weekly surveys to receive feedback and make adjustments. Mrs. Bolin strives to grow and do her best, and her support has been impeccable.” 

The nominations for Karlee Bolin multiplied this school year. It is clear she is making a difference in the school and in students’ lives. Parents continue to describe Mrs. Bolin as a patient, understanding, and helpful teacher. Her willingness to spend extra time with her students has been a grace to those who need extra support. 

The following comment summarizes many parent compliments she received in this area: “My little one has had some struggles with learning and anxiety the past few years, and Mrs. Bolin has been the perfect fit as a teacher to help us navigate all of this. I feel like she really sees and understands my daughter as a full and complex human being (considering both learning/academics and emotional well-being). She is kind and compassionate, going above and beyond to connect with the kids and support them in their unique and shared journeys. Mrs. Bolin is always willing to help when there is a concern or issue, happy to provide suggestions for intervention, and happy to come in early or stay late. She is clearly invested in the kids and in St Monica more generally. I highly recommend her for the SMS teacher of the month!!!” 

Mrs. Bolin is present with her kids. She makes time to attend their sporting events, cultivating relationships beyond the classroom. At Christmas, Mrs. Bolin picked out a book, personalized based on student interest, to gift each of her kids. The individual care and attention she invests in her students truly reflect the Christian principle of giving beyond measure as Jesus did.  

We honor the “heart” she puts into teaching, and the high expectations she sets for her students, both in their academic growth and character. She gives witness that a teacher can be positive and fun-loving while simultaneously being firm and fair. She models the kind of person we hope our kids become. May they see her kindness, patience, thoughtfulness, and self-giving, and may it inspire them to do good for others. 

While Karlee Bolin has nominated her colleagues for this award, we want to recognize her. We express our fullest gratitude for all she has given to SMS. “Simply, we ADORE her.”