A class without any fun makes going to school difficult. Incorporating collaborative activities with students and teaching essential skills is what business teacher Christa Kalin does. Everytime I walk into her class, she always greets me with the biggest smile on her face. The times when I’m at my worst, and the times when I’m at my best, Kalin is always there supporting me in every step of my life. Kalin is a leader, and she wants to share her skills with her students. 

“I believe that experiences are more important than the actual, like, worksheet or tests. I want kids to feel comfortable in their learning. I think having them have the mindset that they can learn and like that’s more important to me than a grade.” Kalin said.

Kalin has been teaching at Superior High School for 16 years, but started student teaching in 2001. She has been the head advisor for DECA for six years. When she was in eleventh grade, Kalin was introduced to the program and continued in college as the Vice President of Community Service in Menomonie, WI. 

Having a connection with her students makes kids come to class each and every day. Even just a smile can make a difference in someone’s day.

“I just feel like to be a good teacher, you have to be able to connect with kids. Kids aren’t going to learn unless they trust you. So if you don’t build that relationship first, it’s kind of setting them up for failure.” said Kalin.

Sophomore Carter Daggy has taken her class and has experienced Kalin’s support first hand.

“Yeah, it’s a pretty fun class. The standards, they’re really good. She’s a nice calm teacher and that she’ll never yell at any student even if the supervisors tell them to knock it off,” said Daggy.

When it comes to teaching it’s not always about the assignments, but the connections made with the students. Kalin checks this off and that’s why I think she’s one of the most influential people at our school.