Congratulations, Mrs. Kramer!

Photos by Jennifer Kettler

Carla Kramer is the second grade teacher at Good Shepherd Lutheran School. Before moving to Columbia in 1991, all her teaching experience was at Lutheran elementary schools in New York, Illinois and Texas. When she moved to Columbia, there was no Lutheran elementary school established yet, so she taught for the Columbia Public Schools as a Title 1 Reading Recovery teacher for 12 years.  She is in her fifth year of teaching with GSLS.  Her husband, Michael, also an educator, teaches at the University of Missouri.  He keeps her life full of adventure because a classroom of second graders is not adventure enough!

Why Mrs. Kramer is special:

“At Mrs. Kramer’s joyful exclamations of  ‘wonderful!’ ‘well done!’ ‘you got it!’ her students’ faces break into a smile, and they stand a little taller, proud of themselves and their work.  Patient explanations and gentle corrections encourage growth in both skill and character. Her warm hugs feed their souls.  Mrs. Kramer likes gardening.  Her classroom often seems to me like a field of vibrantly colored flowers—each one nourished and carefully tended to, each one appreciated for its own unique beauty, each one becoming firmly rooted and grounded in the kind of love and care that creates a full and whole life.”

—Deanna Sharpe, parent

“Learning is fun in second grade when Mrs. Kramer is your teacher.  She has a song for every occasion, a poem for every day and a book for everything under the sun.  She dances and cheers for student accomplishments and has been known to display some theatrical talent when opportunities arise.

When I go into Carla Kramer’s classroom and look around at the remarkable activities and student work displayed, I can only stand and shake my head in awe and respect.  I marvel at the learning evidenced in her classroom and secretly hope that I would one day be able to match her wisdom and talent.

Carla is an extraordinary person.  She has devoted most of her life to teaching and though it is not always easy, still comes back year after year. This might be explained by her strong desire and passion for each child’s success. She is always stretching herself to find new, creative and engaging ways to meet all of their needs. Carla maintains a balance for each student so that while challenging them, she ensures they are meeting attainable goals.  Care and compassion dominate everything she does. Every child who walks in her door has no doubt that she genuinely loves them and that they belong in her classroom.”

—Cheryl Dart, teacher

Mrs. Kramer received a $100 gift certificate from Ann’s Teachers Store, flowers from Kent’s Floral Gallery and a class lunch catered by Jimmy John’s.  She also received a $50 savings bond from UMB Bank.  UMB Bank also provided a basket of goodies from Bath and Body works, a gift certificate to Hollywood Theaters and a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble.

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