Courtnay Kaump has been selected “Teacher of the Month” by ABC 10, which described her as “someone who encourages her students to think beyond the textbooks.”
A 5th-grade teacher at Two Rivers Elementary, Ms. Kaump shows up early every day to tutor students. She also runs the school’s recycling program, oversees its Student Council, and is a leader in Chess Club, Geography Bee, Spelling Bee, monthly assemblies, and other activities.
“I love kids,” she said. “I light up when I come to work every day — so many new things, always something new and exciting.”
For winning ABC 10 “Teacher of the Month” honors for December, Ms. Kaump was awarded $1,000 and will compete with other monthly winners for “Teacher of the Year,” an honor that carries an additional $5,000.
The ABC 10 segment introducing Ms. Kaump, on Tuesday, Dec. 8, included students who complimented Ms. Kaump by saying:
· “She’s very unique. I’ve never really had a teacher like her.”
· “She’s always willing to help.”
· “She plays fun music while we’re working to help us get motivated.”
· “Some teachers don’t, like, incorporate what the kids want into the classes, but Ms. Kaump makes it really fun.”
“With all the technology and exciting things going on in the world, we have to change from teaching out of a textbook,” she told ABC 10.
Ms. Kaump has taught in Natomas Unified for 13 years. She is following in the footsteps of her father, a public school teacher for 33 years.
“It makes me happy to do a job that I love,” she told ABC 10, “And the biggest reward is to see how well (students) have succeeded at the end of the year.”
