By Matt Hoover
USD 475 Communications Coordinator
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. – Morris Hill Elementary kindergarten teacher Brooke Wehrman is currently in her first-year teaching in Geary County Schools USD 475 and is truly making a difference in multiple students’ lives every single day by using her infectious personality and joy in her heart.
“I feel honored to teach the children of military families. I love being able to support and care for each child and help them grow during such a formative time in their lives. USD 475 has made me feel so welcomed and supported from day one. I have a large group of students, and I’ve truly enjoyed building relationships with each one of them,” said Wehrman.
To fully understand where Wehrman’s caring heart comes from we must go back to where it all started, a farm in central Kansas. See, when she wasn’t helping out at home, she was heavily involved in basketball, track and field, cheerleading and dance at Sylvan-Lucas High School in Sylvan Grove, Kansas. Wehrman was also a part of National Honor Society, KAYS Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and student council for the Mustangs.
Despite being involved in all those clubs and activities, it was there in her hometown of Sylvan Grove where Wehrman was able to witness her mom have the same type of impact on a community that she is now having at Morris Hill after graduating from Kansas State University last May with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood special education.
“My mom has been a kindergarten teacher for most of my life, so I spent many summers helping in her classroom. During my senior year of high school, I even helped in her classroom during part of the school day. My mom has been my biggest inspiration. Growing up and watching her teach instilled a passion in me for working with children. I have always wanted to be a light in their lives just as much as they are a light in mine,” said Wehrman who comes from a long line of educators as her cousins, grandparents and several other family members and relatives have also worked in education in some capacity.
And be the light she has become as she can now be found bringing joy to her classroom by building lasting relationships with each kindergartener, daily, while also helping them develop crucial social-emotional skills that will serve them well throughout their life. Wehrman has also made it a point so far this school year to soak up as much information as she can from fellow teachers to implement into the young minds of her students.
“I have learned so much this year, even though it’s only been a couple of months, and have leaned on fellow coworkers and experienced teachers for advice, strategies and expertise. I truly have the best coworkers! Whenever someone asks me how school is going, the first thing I talk about is my amazing team. They are positive, supportive and always willing to help. It’s not just one or two people, it’s everyone, from custodians to administration. I can honestly say I would not have made it through these first few months without them,” said Wehrman.