Ballard Teaches with Respect

By: Jamie Bernal III
jamie@seymourherald.com
Michele Ballard loves teaching eighth grade at Seymour Middle school and has found that showing students respect and acting outside of the box is the best way to get through to them.
“Students want to be respected and feel worthwhile,” Ballard said.
She said once they feel respected they are open to listening and learning what she has to teach.
Ballard also enjoys doing activities that students will enjoy and remember. When she teaches the scientific method, she begins with the hypothesis of whether peanut butter will stick to the wall. She then throws peanut butter on the wall several times and goes through all of the steps.
“When kids come into my class they know that I am the crazy one that throws peanut butter on the wall,” Ballard said.
This is the tenth year that Michele Ballard has taught eighth grade. She taught fifth and sixth grade at the middle school for eight years and taught juniors and seniors at Carter High School one year prior to that. Ballard enjoys eighth grade above the others.
“They are not so young that they are needy and need constant attention,” Ballard said, “and do not act too old for learning. I can still mold them and get to them while they are open-minded.”
Ballard loves science, which is appropriate, since she teaches four science classes and one history class. She is also the cheer coach, BETA club sponsor, head of the history club and the science chair.
“I don’t see how she does everything. She is the cheerleader sponsor, does the U.S. Cellular stuff, Relay for Life, wants to do a reading program, and teaches. It takes a lot of time and discipline,” said Rick Roberts, Ballard’s student teacher.
Ballard moved from Maryland when she was a child, graduated from Seymour High School and has found a home in this community.
“I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Ballard said. “This place is awesome.”