MASONTOWN — If you walk into Susie Maykuth’s kindergarten class at All Saints Regional School, you might find attentive students sitting atop a colorful hopscotch rug enthusiastically singing "Days of the Week" to the tune of "The Addams Family."
But enthusiasm isn’t limited to the students.
Upbeat and energetic, Maykuth exudes creative energy while leading her students in catchy jingles and finger movements that work to teach the days of the week, dates and numbers.
Maykuth was recently named the 2009 Educator of the Year in the Private/Parochial Division by the Fayette Chamber of Commerce. She will receive the award at the chamber’s annual dinner at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Farmington, Oct. 15.
"I was very surprised," Maykuth said. "I had been nominated twice in the public school system, but it never got any further than that."
Maykuth taught kindergarten and first grade for 34 years in the Albert Gallatin School District before retiring in 2005. She began teaching at All Saints in 2008.
Stacey Nace is one of several parents from last year’s kindergarten class who nominated Maykuth.
"Our children loved her," Nace said. "Every one of those kids thought she was extra special."
She lauded Maykuth’s dedication to her students, academics and the school and touted her ability to create a family-like environment in the classroom.
Maykuth said she strives to make her teaching an exciting and fun experience for her class. She works to create an environment that is as stress-free as possible and builds self-esteem with positive reinforcement, teaching techniques, encouragement and hands-on instruction.
Maykuth said she imparts an important lesson at the start of each academic year.
"One thing I tell them at the beginning of the year is we’re like a big school family, and they have to all get along," she said.
Maykuth said it is important to help students realize they can be anything they want to be if they try, adding that if they feel they can’t succeed, they won’t.
She routinely tells them: "There’s no such word as ‘can’t.’ Always say ‘I’ll try.’ That means you can do anything," she said.
All her students know how to spell the word "try," she added.
After nearly 40 years of teaching, Maykuth said she still feels energized.
"I think the kids keep you young," Maykuth said. "You can be really upset or not feeling well or mad at someone when you come in; and when you see their faces ready to learn, you can’t feel bad. You have to be happy when you see them."