By Crystal Hayduk
One of Frank Shanley’s fondest memories of his early elementary education includes special visits from retired teacher and principal, Bob Benedict. “It was always a fun day when Mr. Benedict came,” said Shanley, a 2014 Chelsea High School graduate. “He’s a great storyteller.”
Not only is Benedict well-loved among local elementary school children for his gift for storytelling, but he has also been Sandy Lantis’ lifelong mentor, a role second only to his role as her father. “When I was growing up, my dad was principal of North and then South,” said Lantis. “He was my greatest role model. When I was a young teacher, I would bounce ideas off him and ask his advice about plans and behavioral issues.”
In addition to being raised by an educator, volunteering for (now retired) teacher Jody Williams in the special education classroom as a fifth grader was the experience that confirmed Lantis’ desire to become a teacher.
Lantis earned her degree in elementary education and social science from Spring Arbor College in 1990 and went on to teach in the Stockbridge School District for three years before being hired by the Chelsea School District, where she has taught kindergarten through second grade for the last 16 years. She obtained her Master’s Degree in education in 2003.
Lantis has always gravitated to teaching the youngest learners. “I love the eager four-to-six year olds,” she said. “I believe that all children are good and they all want to learn. Everyone can, and eventually, all of them do – at their own pace. Every day is unique and fun – no two days are ever alike.”
Her favorite subject to teach is reading. “The best thing is getting them to be excited about reading,” said Lantis. “If they become fluent, good readers, then they can learn anything.”
One of the biggest changes that Lantis has witnessed over the course of her career has been the transition from half-time to full-time kindergarten, which has modified the management of kindergarten. In a half-time program, children are rushed through activities and they are given assignments to complete at home; but in a full-time program, children are able to accomplish much more academically and socially in class.
Outside of the classroom, Lantis is the grade level chair, which means she has a place on every committee in the school, including the district’s curriculum council.
Principal Marcus Kaemming credits Lantis as one of the reasons North Creek is successful. “She pushes herself to always be the best she can be,” he said. “She is a leader and she pushes me to be the best administrator I can be. I love her energy and positive attitude.”
Love is a verb to Lantis, a central concept instilled in her from childhood by her family, who continue to support her personally and in her career. “My parents have always helped me at home in a way that allows me to be more present for my students,” Lantis explained, from babysitting when her daughter was young to occasionally providing meals on extended days or for special occasions. Her husband doesn’t complain when she spends extra hours at school or wants to buy things for her class.
That family support goes two ways. A little over a year ago, when her grandmother could no longer live alone, Lantis brought her home to live with her. “My husband and I always planned that she could come and live with us if she needed to,” she said.
There’s no doubt that children benefit from the devotion that Lantis has for teaching and her students. “She loves our kindergarteners as much as anyone can,” said Kaemming. “She is loved by her families.”
Shanley, who spent his senior year as a cadet teacher with Lantis and is now a student at Hope College who aspires to be an educator, said, “Mrs. Lantis is one of the most caring people I know. She genuinely loves her students.”
When asked what she most wanted people to know about her, Lantis smiled and said, “I love my job.”
(Bob Benedict has collected stories and visited kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms as a storyteller since his retirement in 1991. Although his health no longer permits him to physically visit the schools, students still enjoy his recorded stories online. A link to one of his stories is here.)
Thank you! I really enjoy this series about our educators!