Empowering Educators - Mrs. Kristi Nolte

Meet Mrs. Kristi Nolte, Gifted Education Teacher at North Elementary School; a Wildlife Biologist, and Amateur Entomologist 

Mrs. Nolte is a lifelong learner. She obtained her first Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where she majored in psychology. She pursued a second Bachelor's Degree, followed by a Master's Degree at the University of Florida where she studied wildlife ecology and conservation.

Interestingly, Mrs. Nolte's first job was that of a crisis counselor in a baker act unit - a job that she refers to as stressful and scary. Mrs. Nolte stated that it really made her ponder if this is really what she wants to do, and she eventually left that job. She did not dismiss the experience though; she stated that as a crisis counselor, she learned how to talk to people and how to identify signs and symptoms of the feelings that people have. It also helped her to build a certain level of comfort when approaching people and working with them. Now, Mrs. Nolte stated, the skills that she learned help her notice things with her students at school. The child psychology classes also helped, she said. Understanding the science behind childhood and adolescence helps you to have realistic expectations about what the students are capable of (or not). It has helped her to keep things in perspective.

Mrs. Nolte was a parent of a student at North Elementary School when she was approached by the school administrator with the idea of considering teaching gifted education - a new program that was being built at NES at that time. Mrs. Nolte said that she did not feel qualified for the job at the time as her background was mainly in sciences. Still, she accepted the position, and has loved it ever since. The first (half year) was tough, she stated. Even though the State of Florida allows alternative teacher certification as a pathway into classrooms, Mrs. Nolte shared that coming into education without a degree or experience in education was not easy. Long, crazy hours with little pay did not do justice to the position, but there was something about it that pushed her to obtain a teaching certificate, and come back the following year. Mrs. Nolte said that teaching gave her something that she had been longing for - an ability to make a difference; something that she never felt when working as a wildlife ecologist. She simply loved it. The years that she worked as a wildlife ecologist were very repetitive in nature: breeding birds, rescuing birds, collecting data, and then releasing them. Teaching, however, brings new challenges every day. And these challenges are not limited to just teaching. With the on-site gifted education being a new program at the school, the airplane was being built while flying. Three and a half years later, it has evolved into a rigorous, science-focused enrichment program that reaches beyond the classroom through hands on experiences at Riverwoods field laboratory in the heart of the Kissimmee River basin and at Florida Coastal Oceanographic Center in Stuart, for example. Mrs. Nolte is very excited about a third possible field trip experience for younger students this year. She said that it is definitely a work in progress with a simple goal of exposing students to the ecology around the Okeechobee area.

There are several other initiatives that Mrs. Notle has introduced to NES gifted program - all evolving around stretching the limits of students' thinking. Last year, Mrs. Nolte's students participated in the virtual Treasure Coast Stock Market Game; they took  first place by even outperforming  Wall Street. Mrs. Nolte and her students were recognized at the ceremony at Florida Atlantic University main campus in Boca Raton. Additionally, Mrs. Nolte's students brought home several medals from the Florida Elementary Science Olympiad in Orlando. These experiences have been valuable life lessons for those who were involved; forcing students to take risks, think outside the box, and just go for it.

The feeling that she is helping someone has been the driving force behind Mrs. Nolte's motivation to work as a teacher. She stated that it is not even only about helping students, but also about helping families. Mrs. Nolte has worked diligently in an effort to identify and advocate for the gifted and talented student population even when the students do no meet the FLDOE eligibility requirements for gifted education. She has been disseminating information to families about the Duke University Talent Identification Program in a hope to open new doors for students who might have been otherwise "left behind".

Mrs. Nolte believes that the profession of teaching is actually so much more than just teaching due to the simple fact that the kids need so much more than that. There are days where she feels like she is in a mother's role as kids might just want to come and tell her about their day. At morning duty, there is a group of kindergarten students who never pass by Mrs. Nolte without her having an opportunity to ask them about their day. When these students arrive, Mrs. Nolte stops any conversations that she might have with adults and takes time to ask about their day. With a smile on her face she states that "This is just something that we do. They never go past me without me talking to them".

Mrs. Nolte stated that sometimes, students come to her with emotional needs. We teach them about kindness, ethics, values; so much of what we do and teach evolves around teaching them how to handle frustration and disappointment. These are the life skills that they need. Spending time on the emotional support upfront is important because the kids end up being happier. That is our goal.

With that being said, Mrs. Nolte has not turned her back to her interest in wildlife. She is an avid collector on natural history. She has a collection of bugs and a collection of skulls that she kindly shares with her students during Career Fair at school. This is a nice glimpse of her past in the present, even though she says that the majority of her leisure time these days is taken up preparing her own children for school, packing lunches, organizing birthday parties, attending soccer games and PTO events, and of course, doing laundry.


When asked about her former students, Mrs. Nolte stated that she misses them. She always wants to know what they are doing, and if they are okay. She worries about them going to middle school and hopes that they are happy and make friends. Mrs. Nolte stated that it is almost as there is a feeling of void when she does not know how they are. She wishes that her students would keep up the enthusiasm for learning when leaving her program, and that they would keep in touch with her. Mrs. Nolte has a special message to all of her former and future students: " I think about you all the time and wonder how you're doing.  So if you see me at Walmart or Pogey's, don't wonder if I'd like to talk to you.  I will always want to talk to you and hear how you are doing (smiley face)".

Mrs. Nolte also has a special message to parents. She said "Please know that I love your kids, even if they challenge me". This is the "thing" about education, she said; you cannot simply spend so much time with students and not care about them. Mrs. Nolte also talked about the importance of the home environment and the expectations that parents have for their children. She emphasized the importance of collaboration with the teachers - even when parents do not always agree. Mrs. Nolte believes that positive parental support is so important in child's attitude which is a driving force behind their success at school. Mrs. Nolte feels like she has been very fortunate with the parent-relationships that she has had, and she appreciates these partnerships as they are paving the pathway to students' success.

When Mrs. Nolte's told her family that she is thinking about becoming a teacher, her mom said that she is not at all surprised. Her mom remembers that Mrs. Nolte often played school during her formative years.

We are glad that Mrs. Nolte has picked up her childhood passion, and we are privileged to have her at North Elementary School!

Dr. Tuuli Robinson
Educator and Lifelong Learner

Empowering Educators - Mrs. Tracy Phillips

Over the past decade, I have had a unique opportunity to work with many teachers and administrators from kindergarten all the way to the college level. Some of them have been merely acquaintances who I have passed by in the hallways while others have left a long lasting impact on my thinking about education. I have met wonderful, passionate individuals who love teaching, but yet, find opportunities in their lives to do so much more than that. These individuals are true testaments to the fact that there is no such thing as "just a teacher". It is my hope to introduce them and tell their story.

Meet Mrs. Tracy Phillips, Math and Science Teacher at North Elementary School; a Reptile Enthusiast, and Muay Thai Kick Boxer

Mrs. Phillips has been an educator for 19 years - 15 of which she has spent at North Elementary School in Okeechobee, Florida. Mrs. Phillips refers to herself as a home grown educator who graduated from our very own Okeechobee High School. When talking about her experiences in a small town, Mrs. Phillips stated that Okeechobee is a place that is not just home. She recalled the time when she walked into class at middle school, then at high school - with the same individuals; then years down the road - they walked their sons together to kindergarten. The relationships across multiple generations, according to Mrs. Phillips, is what makes Okeechobee unique.

Teaching was not the only career choice that Mrs. Phillips considered; however, it was the only one that had a promise to impact lives in a way that Mrs. Phillips was seeking to do. She spoke passionately about that magical moment in class when the child looks at you - with a smile on his or her face, as if the light bulb came on because they just understood a concept that they had struggled with. It is the face of success. Mrs. Phillips referred to this as an important life lesson; she stated that if students can do it at school, they can also do it later on in life.

Even though many in Okeechobee know Mrs. Phillips as a teacher, some do not know that Mrs. Phillips is a true science buff who knows more about plants and animals than an average person. She grows exotic plants such as orchids and herbs, and she enjoys anything related to horticulture in general.

Mrs. Phillips is also an avid reptile enthusiast. Her home includes sand boas, leopard geckos, and many turtles. Fortunately, this is a hobby that the whole family shares. Mrs. Phillips is proud of her children who have learned to be responsible by taking care of these unique animals. While many people are scared of reptiles, Mrs. Phillips explained that there is no reason to be scared of them; however, it is important to be educated about exotic animals so that you know what you are dealing with, and how to use caution when approaching and handling them. Last year, Mrs. Phillips' reptile handling skills came in handy when three snakes were intertwined in the fence at school. Mrs. Phillips came to the rescue and removed the snakes, using her snake-handling skills that she practices at home.

Mrs. Phillips got teary eyed when asked what she would like to tell her former students. She stated that she is proud of them. That she remembers them; not always their name, but as a student. She believes that she is a better teacher for having known them. Mrs. Phillips admitted that her former students have taught her many lessons, one of which is to recognize the disparity that exists in our community. This has molded her educational philosophy, and helped her understand the need to level the playing-ground so that all students have an opportunity to succeed.

Even though Mrs. Phillips does not teach reading this year, she has always been an avid reader. She enjoys reading various genres - fiction as well as non-fiction, historical fiction, and also philosophy. On an average, Mrs. Phillips reads about 60 books each year which has also sparked the love of reading in her children.

In long term, Mrs. Phillips wants to live a long and healthy life. Inspired by her husband who is into fitness, Mrs. Phillips signed up for Muay Thai kick boxing that she now does five days a week.  She referred to Muay Thai boxing as the art of eight limbs that is often used in self defense. For Mrs. Phillips, this is a unique and exotic way of committing herself to fitness and healthy life choices for years to come.


Dr. Tuuli Robinson
Educator and Lifelong Learner