Sandie Sing nominated Kerry Nored for Class Acts. In addition to her duties teaching fourth grade, Sing says Nored is a high-energy dance instructor and she can transform even reluctant students into dance stars. Nored is always busy showcasing her students and even recruits teachers to perform for school events, Sing says.
Name: Kerry Nored
City of residence: Turlock
Occupation: Fourth-grade teacher and dance instructor at Turlock's Walnut Elementary Education Center, a visual and performing arts magnet school
Family: Husband, Carl, and three children, Tanner, 18, Taylor, 22, and Thane, 25
Education background: Bachelor of arts degree in physical education with a dance emphasis from California State University, Fresno, teaching credential from Chapman University
Teaching experience: Substitute teacher for seven years, and 13 years teaching fourth grade.
Why did you get into teaching? My first experience teaching children was owning my own dance studio before my children were born. I loved working with and teaching children, so when my youngest started kindergarten, I went back to school for my teaching credential. I began teaching fourth grade at Crowell School, my children's elementary school, and actually my elementary school.
What is your favorite thing about being a teacher? Two years ago Turlock Unified School District opened a visual and performing arts magnet school that joined the already well-established Dutcher Math/Science Elementary magnet. I now have the opportunity to integrate both my loves of teaching and dance. I have the privilege of working with a team of teachers that share the same philosophy of integrating the arts throughout the curriculum.
What is the most challenging part of your job? Testing, pacing calendars, and creating two to three dances for each 11-day elective throughout the year.
What is the most important lesson you've learned? Be flexible, willing to work and willing to change.
What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? Integrating dance and music. Right now I am in the process of locating 30 pairs of boys' tap shoes (I was inspired by the recent performance of "Tap Dogs" at the Gallo Center for the Arts.) My "boys only" dance elective begins in November, and I want them tapping!
What's next in your classroom? We are wrapping up our first elective, so we have a showcase performance planned for next week. ("New York, New York" -- tap, and Camp Rock -- jazz)
What advice do you have for students? Every morning we have a schoolwide opening in our quad area, and when we wrap up the session a student at the microphone asks, "On the count of three, what are we going to do today?" We all respond, "One, two, three, we're going to do our best today!" That's all I ask.
What advice do you have for parents? Spend quality time with your children, and read, read, read with them.
What will it take to improve academic success in the valley? Engaging parents in the learning process.
How do you try to reach students not interested in school? Find the hook to encourage learning. At Walnut we have drama, dance, music, visual arts (including photography, video arts, a TV station, mime and stage makeup) to inspire our students.
What one area should schools put more emphasis on? Keeping art and physical education in all schools.
If you could change one thing about the current educational system, what would it be and why? Testing. Sometimes it feels like that's all we do. I understand we need to teach to the standards, and we do, I just don't always want to have "test Fridays" every week.
What would surprise people about your job? The amount of time, money and creativity that goes into teaching and dance instruction.
What are your future plans? I would love to have dance integration at each school site like we have music instruction.
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