By Crystal Hayduk
[Under Superintendent Mike Kapolka’s leadership, the Chelsea School District began awarding Portrait of a Graduate (POG) MVP awards last fall as one way district staff can commend each other and highlight the ongoing efforts to incorporate POG competencies into their work with students. Currently, nominations are made by district staff.]
When kindergarten teacher Amy Proos heard the announcement on Feb. 15 that she had been named the January Portrait of a Graduate MVP, she was surprised and thrilled.
“It definitely filled my bucket,” she said, using the metaphor common to North Creek Elementary School, meaning filled with happiness as the result of kindness shown by another.
Colleague Kimmy Conn nominated Proos for the award, which recognizes the work done to help students develop the skills of the 21st century learner: communication, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.
Conn’s nomination said, “Amy has a huge heart and a passion for teaching that is unmatched. Amy is adored by all her students and colleagues and is consistently researching, reflecting on, and bettering her craft. Amy is always willing to help anyone and does so without expecting anything in return. She is such a treasured individual in the Chelsea School District community and embodies Chelsea’s Portrait of Graduate competences….”
When Proos started college at Eastern Michigan University (EMU), she thought she was on the road to law school. Every career assessment she took in high school pointed her in that direction. But her students and their families are thankful that she quickly realized teaching was her true calling.
As a high school student, Proos had part-time jobs babysitting, tutoring, and in preschools and daycares. In college, she added working for Pinckney’s summer latchkey program. “I was drawn to kids and teaching,” she said. “I’ve always loved working with children and helping them to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Seeing kids overcome challenges or finally get a skill they have been working on brings me joy.”
Proos graduated with three undergraduate majors: science, English language and literature, and early childhood education, with an endorsement for kindergarten through third grade. She also earned a master’s degree in reading from EMU.
“Teaching kids to read and write is my passion,” said Proos. “I like seeing them read and write their first sentences. Plus, teaching kindergarten is just fun and if I am having fun then they are having fun, and that is what learning is all about.”
Proos is in her 21st year teaching in the district, but her history here predates her employment. She completed her student teaching in Karen Glover’s first grade classroom. It doesn’t seem as if that much time has passed, but Carly Wooster, a student in that class, now works with Proos as a special education teacher at North Creek.
Teaching in Chelsea has been an excellent career choice for Proos, who loves the people she works with and the community. She feels community support through the PTO and the Chelsea Education Foundation. “The parents of the children I have taught have all been supportive as well,” she said. “It really does take a village.”
While Proos feels the support of her colleagues, she is a major source of support to them, as well. Conn considers herself lucky to have taught with Proos for the past six years. “Amy has inspired me to be a better a teacher,” she said. “Many of the wonderful things I do in my classroom I have learned from Amy. She is the teacher we all go to for guidance and support. Amy has a heart of gold and her joy for her students and her profession is contagious.”
Proos and her husband live in Chelsea because she wants to be a part of the community she serves and so their children can attend Chelsea schools.
Chelsea is also one of her favorite places to spend her free time. Proos enjoys mountain biking on the DTE Energy Foundation Trail. fishing with her two sons, walking in town, reading, and spending time in the sunflower garden her husband tends.
North Creek Principal Kimberly Gillow commended Proos: “Amy has high expectations for herself and her students. As a result, the growth of her students is maximized. She develops and maintains strong positive relationships with her students and their families. Amy teaches with an open-door policy, welcoming families and other educators in to witness the magic of her instruction. She is a leader in our building who truly wants what is best for students.”
