A+ Teacher prepares third graders for their futures

BRADENTON, Fla. — Kati Steiner has been teaching at Oneco Elementary School for five years.

She teaches third grade and loves inspiring her students to want to learn. Connection, growth and trust are some of the pillars of her classroom.

“I always make sure that I find something outside of academics to make sure I connect with the kids whether that be their interests, if they play basketball, if they love to sing,” Steiner said. “Anything that gets them excited because that’s a segway into how I can help them learn.”

Steiner said she’s always wanted to be a teacher.

“I love that feeling of, when a kid is having trouble and then watching them figure it out,” said Steiner.

Steiner said she uses what she learned teaching fifth grade to prepare her third graders for the future.

“I did teach fifth grade a couple of my first years and now I really use that to help them know what’s coming. I know what’s coming for them and I know how to make it a perfect stepping stone to get them to where they need to be for 4^th and 5^th grade,” said Steiner. 

Her goal for each student is to have them move onto the next grade with knowledge and confidence. 

“Watching them pass and the look on their face when they’re like ‘have you got the scores yet?’ Everyday, ‘have you got the scores yet’ and then when you tell them, ‘yes you passed you’re going to 4^th grade!’,” Steiner said. “And they just are so relieved and so proud of themselves. That is something that I can feel proud of when my kids are proud of themselves.”