Teacher Spotlight: Celebrating Ms. Kylie Hanley's Compassion and Commitment

We're honored to feature our dedicated fifth-grade teacher here at St. Francis School, Ms. Kylie Hanley. Ms. Hanley's journey to becoming an educator is deeply rooted in her desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others. 

Growing up, Ms. Hanley faced the challenge of choosing between a career in nursing and teaching. However, it was the unwavering support and compassion she received from her teachers during a difficult period in high school—when her mother battled breast cancer—that solidified her decision to pursue a career in teaching. Inspired by the kindness and encouragement she experienced firsthand, Ms. Hanley embarked on a path dedicated to guiding and nurturing young minds. 

In her role as the fifth-grade teacher, Ms. Hanley covers all subjects throughout the day, except for special classes such as technology, physical education, and music. One of the most rewarding aspects of her job was transitioning from fourth to fifth grade with her current students and witnessing their growth and development firsthand over the course of two years. Ms. Hanley cherishes the ability to engage with her students across various subjects, using sports, art projects, and everyday conversations to create meaningful learning experiences. 

Ms. Hanley's teaching philosophy centers on creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every student feels valued and empowered to succeed. She believes in a student-centered approach, acting as a guide, facilitator, and cheerleader for her students' learning journey. Her overarching goal is to inspire a love of learning, foster critical thinking skills, and empower her students who are curious, confident, and compassionate. 

To achieve this, Ms. Hanley employs a variety of strategies, including differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse needs, hands-on learning to make lessons interactive and tangible, and cooperative learning to promote collaboration and teamwork among students. She also emphasizes positive reinforcement to recognize and celebrate student achievement and incorporates technology into her lessons to enhance engagement and facilitate learning. 

Ms. Hanley's commitment to integrating the school's mission and values into her teaching practice is evident in her approach to fostering a holistic and values-based education. She infuses religious teachings and moral values into various aspects of the curriculum, creating opportunities for students to connect with their faith and develop character. For example, during language arts, she incorporates stories or a text that highlights virtues such as kindness, empathy, or perseverance, and then facilitates discussions on how these values align with our Catholic faith. In math or science, she discusses the beauty of creation and how it reflects God’s design. In history or social studies, her class explores examples of individuals who lived out their faith and made positive contributions to society. 

Moreover, Ms. Hanley strives to create a classroom environment rooted in love, respect, and compassion, where students feel valued and supported. She regularly recognizes and celebrates acts of kindness, generosity, and good character among students through praise, awards, or special acknowledgments. Collaborative learning activities, group projects, and team-building exercises help students develop interpersonal skills and cultivate a sense of belonging. Overall, by intertwining the school’s mission and values into every aspect of teaching and by nurturing a supportive and inclusive classroom community, she aims to empower students to grow academically, spiritually, and morally, preparing them to become compassionate and responsible individuals guided by their faith. 

St. Francis’ small school community provides Ms. Hanley with opportunities to collaborate with other teachers to enhance student learning. A collaborative activity that she enjoys with our kindergarten teacher, Ms. Sabrina Avery, is the Kindergarten Buddies program. This initiative pairs fifth graders with kindergarten students. Each month the buddies work together on an art project or motor activity. Additionally, they have the opportunity to sit together during Mass. Witnessing the older students guide and interact with the younger ones is heartwarming and appreciated by all involved. She also partners with our fourth-grade teacher, Ms. Kailey Brenner, to organize fun activities during holidays or the day before breaks, such as escape rooms for the students to enjoy. It’s a wonderful way to foster camaraderie and bring students together. 

Outside the classroom, Ms. Hanley actively participates in school community events and extracurricular activities, including coaching Girls on the Run and attending her students' wrestling tournaments. She deeply values the personalized touch of the St. Francis community and prioritizes her faith and values above all else. 

Ms. Kylie Hanley's dedication to her students and passion for teaching is truly inspirational. Her unwavering commitment to creating a nurturing and inclusive learning environment ensures that every student at St. Francis School has the opportunity to thrive academically, spiritually, and morally. We are grateful to have her as a part of our school community and applaud her for her outstanding contributions to education.