Sanford Teacher Award to Shannon Kline for Dreamline Work

I met Shannon Kline last spring when she came to Philadelphia with the team from the amazingly inspirational Anson Jones Elementary in Dallas, Texas, USA. ( May 5 :The Real Story) It was so thrilling to learn that her exceptional work in collaboration with fellow teacher Candice Lindsay is being recognized by this group who recognized one teacher from each state.  –Jeffrey Harlan

The following is an excerpt from
SANFOR TEACHER AWARD WEBSITE. 

Characteristics of an Inspirational Teacher

• Teachers who go the extra mile to ensure that all students are seen, heard, and given the opportunity to become their best selves.
• Teachers who understand that no two students are alike, and can find learning strategies to accommodate every student who enters their classroom.
• Teachers who lead by example, and deliver a true passion for knowledge that will extend far beyond the classroom walls.

These are the teachers we need. These are the teachers we find to be truly inspiring.

Shannon Kline is the second inaugural Sanford Teacher Award recipient to be announced, and she was chosen for her commitment to creating positive classroom environments that support students’ development and academic growth. She is an inspiration to students, teachers, and families in the community she serves. She began her career 10 years ago at a private preschool that focused solely on social and emotional development before entering kindergarten. In 2014, she transitioned to public school and began teaching in Dallas ISD.

Kline’s student population rarely travels outside their immediate neighborhood. To inspire her students to think beyond their immediate environment, Kline embarked on partnering with the art teacher two years ago to bring the Dreamline Project to the entire school. The Dreamline project is an international organization that fosters children dreaming of how to better the world. The students write poetry in their classroom and then put the poetry on an artwork flag. For two years, Kline and the art teacher motivated the entire campus to partake in inspiring each student to dream. Then, through fundraising and some out-of-pocket expense, Kline and two other teachers, along with campus administration, gathered all the students’ flags and took them to the yearly kick-off in Philadelphia. The students’ flags flew in the National Constitution Center before being packed up and shipped across the globe to fly in other countries. The impact of the project on her students brought them to tears, just knowing others were experiencing their dreams around the world.

The passion Kline has for SEL is apparent in every aspect of her career. She is the SEL Champion of her campus and was responsible for launching the DISD model of SEL to the whole staff at her school. She is a passionate advocate of social emotional learning through the Sanford Harmony program, working closely with other teachers, parents, and students to create a positive school environment.

For full article go to https://www.sanfordteacherawards.com/inspirational-teachers.html