Beth Kaltsulas “Mrs. K” to her students, a math teacher at Yankton Middle School, has been selected as the 2017 South Dakota Teacher of the Year. Mrs. K has always wanted to help others and teaching has allowed her to fulfill that goal.
Being the oldest of 11 children, her earliest memories were of helping and teaching her siblings so teaching was a natural fit. Beth said teaching is all she has ever known and she the rewards come every day. She feels it is important for students to understand how math can help in their daily lives and how important it will be in their adult lives
Kaltsulas has taught in the Yankton School District for 30 years. She considers mentoring a vital component of the profession and has served as a cooperating teacher for 13 student teachers. She runs a daily math academy, an opportunity for students to receive math tutoring before and after school. Several years ago, she piloted a math class that seeks to keep students who qualify for special education services in the general education setting.
Mrs. K says children are our most valuable resource and making the lessons fun it is an enjoyable experience for the both her and the students.
