Northwestern College | Classic - Winter 2003-04

N o r t h w e s t e r n C l a s s i cA l u m n ie w sM i n ip ro f i l eArlis Folkert ’s creativity in getting children to read helped her win a teacher- l i b r a r i-an award given by the Manitoba School Library Association.F o l k e ts r soaksstudents in learn i n gby Duane BeesonF rom her first day as the teacher-librarian at AngusMcKay School in Winnipeg, Manitoba, teachers and studentsalike realized that Arlis (Wassink ’81) Folkerts was not as t e reotypical librarian.The pillow-lined claw-footed bathtub she hauled in hadsomething to do with it.“Kids fight to read in it,” says second-grade teacherNicole Smith.In other eff o rts to immerse students in reading, Folkert shad students make “story gloves” with tiny props on each fingerto help them tell a story visually; assigned children to createa “bio in a box,” a compilation of written information andvisuals about a person whose biography they had re a d ,a rranged inside a pizza box; and taught students how to useplasticine art to create their favorite book characters.“What makes Arlis extraord i n a ry is her cre a t i v i t y, willingnessto try new things, technological knowledge as well asc u rr i c u l a r, and her professional ability to work well withe v e ryone on staff,” says Smith.The Manitoba School Library Association agreed withS m i t h ’s assessment of Folkerts, naming her the 2003Outstanding Te a c h e r-Librarian of the Year for the pro v i n c e .“The award is great,” says Folkerts, “but the value in itfor me is that my staff were the ones who nominated me.Their words of appreciation and support really touched me.”That aff i rmation made it especially tough for the SiouxCenter native to leave her teacher-librarian position this fall tobecome the full-time assessment consultant for the River EastTranscona School Division. She had served half time in bothroles for the previous two years.“I loved taking literature or a curriculum theme andmaking it come alive for kids. I’m sure I’ll come back to thel i b r a ry someday,” she says. “But now I can devote my energ i e sto one job.”As assessment consultant, Folkerts works with administratorsand teachers in 45 schools to measure their success inmeeting standards and strategize on how to improve. Sheo ffers workshops to help new teachers understand classro o m -based assessment, and she organizes divisional tests.“I always find it a challenge to take the numbers—howstudents did in their school and divisionally—and transformit into something that’s meaningful for the school and teacher,to help them see growth over time.”F o l k e rts, who spent 17 years at Wi n n i p e g ’s CalvinChristian School as a teacher and librarian and later served asa regional consultant for the Manitoba Department ofEducation, had an inauspicious introduction to the teachingfield. Planning to attend Nort h w e s t e rn for only one year, shee n rolled in a Foundations of Education course because herroommate, Renita (Te Slaa ’80) Kahlstorf, was in it.“I loved it,” says Folkerts. “It was one of those life-changingexperiences that you don’t realize at the time.”P e rhaps like developing a love for books while sitting ina tub.daughters by adoption fro mHaiti, Wendy Jennifer Michaelle(8) and Seréa Desiree (2), joinJonathan (11), Michaela (8),Jessica (4) and Joshua (2).Tim and Kim (Cook ’89) Looman,son, Wesley Scott, joins Tre v o r( 6 ) .Michelle (Skinner ’89) and S h a w nRitenour ’89, daughter by adoption,Helena Sophia.Jody (Klein ’91) and Milo McDowell’ 9 2, son, Jacob Robert, joinsColin (3) and Ryan (1).Al and Rhonda (Friese ’91) Slight, son,Samuel John, joins Jessica (1).Sheri (Hoogeveen ’91) and Ti mSnyder ’91, son, Payton, joinsBrandon (8), Colin (6) andJaden (4).Michele (Koopmans ’93) and B r i a nDirkx ’93, son, Devin, joinsJenna (4).Jill (Huisken ’93) and Mike Jacobsma’ 9 2, daughter, Brooke Elizabeth,joins Jacquelyn (10) andMatthew (8).Robin and Trent Sorbe ’93, son,Matthew Carson, joins Josh (6)and Kyle (3).Ivan and Jamie (Van Ruler ’94)D e J o n g, son, Adam Wallace, joinsJacob (5), Rachel (5) and Laure n( 1 ) .Heidi (Hensley ’94) and B r i a nTschetter ’93, son, Jesse, joinstwins Chloe and Kelsey (2).D a rcie (Dop ’96) and B ryce Assink’ 9 6, son, Carter Kelly, joins Marisa(3).Nicole (Molnau ’96) and Peter Gepson’ 9 3, daughter, Emma Rose, joinsJack (3).Tim and Karla (Ploeger ’96) Geyer,son, Luke Nathaniel.Melissa (Remus ’97) and B r a dHofmeyer ’96, daughter, Morg a nLynn, joins Cameran.Jason and Missy (Snoke ’98) Bro o m e,son, Josiah Michael.Kristi (Nieuwendorp ’98) and S h i r a nNathaniel ’97, daughter, Alaina3 3 ▲ W i n t e r 2 0 0 3 - 0 4