| Sources |
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 15 Nov 2011.
Meet Your Neighbor: Clabo loves making a difference in kids’ lives
by RACHEL OSBORN
Martha Clabo has taught third-grade at Pi Beta Phi Elementary since 1999. She loves to see students make progress and was drawn to teaching because it "was a calling from God."
GATLINBURG — Though Martha Clabo didn’t enter the workforce as a elementary school teacher, she’s now found her life-long calling.
The third-grade teacher at Pi Beta Phi Elementary School grew up in Sevier County, attending Pittman Center School and Gatlinburg-Pittman High School.
Following graduation, Clabo married husband Chuck and had two “amazing” children — David and Katy. She worked at a local bank for eight years, was a stay-at-home mom and helped with a family business, but felt like God was directing her to do something else.
“I had always felt like I had missed my calling,” she explained. “I felt like I should be teaching children. I wanted to teach because I knew I could make a difference in children’s lives.
“We’re all given talents and abilities to use. I want to use mine to help children. I think I was meant to be an educator. It was a calling from God.”
When her son entered kindergarten, Clabo made the difficult decision to return to school as a non-traditional student.
“It seemed like it was impossible to go back to school at that time in my life because of family and work responsibilities,” she said. “I started taking night classes and realized it was doable.”
Clabo attended Walters State Community College, obtaining an associates degree in science. While at WSCC she received a scholarship, allowing her to attend Maryville College.
She graduated from Maryville in May 1998 with a B.A. in child development and a teaching license when her son was in third-grade.
“Maryville College was a great experience for me, even as an adult,” she said. “When I finally worked up the courage to try some classes, my skills were pretty rusty. I had to relearn all the foundational skills again. As I took classes, I gained confidence and my skills improved. I encourage other adults to go back to school.”
After graduation, Clabo was offered a third-grade position at Pigeon Forge Primary School. Though she was only there for one year, Clabo said she learned a lot. It was here that Clabo was introduced to Mary Ebelyn, her mentor teacher.
“I was fortunate to be her mentee,” she said. “What a great teacher. I always aspired to be like her. She had a compassionate and caring attitude for all the children. She was accepting. She had so many different ideas for teaching skills. I learned from her every day that first year.”
In 1999 Clabo was hired to teach third-grade at Pi Beta Phi, where she’s been for the last 13 years.
“I love third-graders,” she said. “They’re learning at such a rapid rate. They come to the classroom eager to learn and excited about the day’s activities. They’re fun to teach.
“Third-graders bloom academically and socially. It’s rewarding to see them make so much progress. I love to see students do well. I’m just passionate about children, teaching, the learning process and student achievement.”
Although students and Clabo have a lot of fun in the classroom, she admits that she expects a lot.
“I have high expectations for student learning, responsibility, homework, manners and behavior,” she said. “I’m never satisfied with the status quo. We keep learning and growing. I work on helping students achieve their personal best.”
That’s what Clabo’s first-grade teacher — Bonnie Justus — did for her.
“I had the most awesome first-grade teacher,” Clabo said. “She made students feel like they could do anything. She left a lasting impression on my life.
“Bonnie taught me basic skills I use today. She taught me to read. She made a difference in my life. She was just an inspiring teacher.”
Things came full-circle, when Clabo got to teach third-grade with Justus at Pi Beta Phi.
“When I came to Pi Beta Phi and taught with her, I still learned from her,” Clabo said. “Every day I learned something from Bonnie.”
For Clabo, making a difference in her students’ lives is one of the most rewarding aspects of her job.
“One of the nicest compliments that I have ever received was from a former student that I had in my very first classroom,” Clabo said. “She said the reason she chose teaching as a career was because of the fun, challenging and exciting learning opportunities she had in my classroom.
“My primary focus is and always will be on the needs of children. Each child is an individual and I honor and respect that. They all have strengths and weaknesses. I try to build on their strengths and improve their weak areas. I also try to help them learn responsibility and organizational skills. These are life skills any successful person needs.
“Kids need positive role models. Teachers make a difference in students lives every day. We can see the academic progression a child makes as they grow and develop. That’s very rewarding.”
Because of student success and continued learning experiences, Clabo knows she’s in the right profession.
“Personally, I love to learn,” she said. “School is extremely challenging in many ways. That’s one of the reasons I love it. It’s challenging and varied. Now two days are alike. I look forward to coming to school. I think I’m very blessed to be an educator.”
rosborn@themountainpress.com
|
Search | Advanced Search
1955 - (69 years)
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
= Link to Google Maps