GREENVILLE — For this week’s edition of Hallway Voices, we learned about the importance of picture books in an elementary school classroom.
We talked with Greenville Elementary third-grade teacher Emily Hintz. A Mukwonago native, she has taught at Greenville for eight years and her current grade for six.
“I just really enjoy working for the Hortonville Area School District,” Hintz said. “The community is very supportive. Families want their children to do well, and they’re involved and interested in what we’re doing in the classroom.”
Here’s what else she said.
Emily Hintz
What do you like to see when working with your students?
I teach all the core academics — math, reading, writing — but I also really love seeing kids feel confidence in themselves with their social-emotional learning as well. I love to see students problem-solve with each other, build self-confidence in themselves and be in touch with how to regulate their emotions so they can be the best version of themselves. I love watching students complete a task on their own and feel pride in what they accomplished.
Toward the end of the school year, we often see a lot more independence in third-graders, and I love this time of the year. As students are comfortable with our routines, you can see their confidence coming out in not only their academics — seeing them grow as a writer, a reader and a mathematician — but then also as a person as well.
Do you have a favorite book you like sharing with your students?
I love picture books, so there are so many wonderful read-aloud picture books this year. There is a series that I really enjoy called the Big Bright Feelings series. It highlights social-emotional learning (with) a character working through a problem. One of them (is) called Milo’s Monster, (where) he’s working on fighting his own worries.
I love reading picture books that students can relate to, and then we can have those conversations afterward (with) ones that have lessons or messages. But I also love nonfiction, too.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love being outside any chance that I can get. My husband and our son (and I) love spending time together outside. We really love the four seasons in Wisconsin, and each season we take advantage of the different activities that the weather provides.
So in the winter, we like to ski and snowshoe. In the spring and fall, we love going for bike rides or going to the park. And then (in summer) we spend a lot of time on the water and golfing. My husband and I met playing soccer in college, so we spend a lot of time on an adult coed team in the summertime.
What is your favorite season?
Probably summer. Not because we’re off school, but that might have a little bit to do with it. I just enjoy the extra family time, the extended sunlight hours, barbecues and time on the water.
You mentioned you’re not originally from the Fox Cities. What is the most surprising thing about living here?
The Fox Valley is a very tight-knit community, where you have Neenah, Menasha, Appleton, but it really feels like it’s all one big community and one big city.
Thanks for reading. Suggest questions, provide feedback or nominate public school staff members to interview by sending an email to Rebecca Loroff to rloroff@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Hallway Voices: Meet Emily Hintz, a Greenville third-grade teacher