BEST of the SPRINGS!
Freedom Elementary
Dakota Larimore-Pre-K
Dakota is one of the most passionate, conscientious and dedicated educators you could ever hope for. She joined us at Freedom preschool in 2023, bringing a breadth and depth of knowledge, skills and experience to our building and d11’s early childhood program which have consolidated and blossomed into the incredible preschool teacher she is.
Her priority is always the children and their individual needs and she will earnestly advocate for anything they need to be successful. She delivers fun, tailored and engaging educational experiences for our littlest learners every day.
Dakota has made a huge impact on our building family and our school community. She’s kind and generous, always surprising us with gifts of comfort and volunteering for events and programs in our building including coaching the basketball teams. Did I mention her impressing us all with her award winning chilli?!
She doesn’t just light up a room, she enters with a definite dazzle. We’re lucky to have you and we love working with you Dakota!
Tammy Parsons-Pre-K
Tammy Parsons has had a great impact as a preschool teacher in many students and families for the past six years. She is a very dedicated educator that shapes young minds, foster creativity and provides a loving, nurturing environment for the children to grow in. She truly makes a lasting impact on her students.
Teresa Wastler-Kinder
Teresa Wastler has a teaching style that truly inspires the love of learning in all children. Her patience, kindness, and ability to build relationships with her students, parents and colleagues is commendable. Teresa goes above and beyond in everything she does for both her students and coworkers. She certainly is the “The Best Of the Springs” when it comes to teaching.
Michelle Zilverberg -4th Grade
Michelle Zilverberg is the most dedicated, loving, and talented educator. In her classroom she does little things to make the student feel like it is a family. She has birthday surprises for them. She has a wheel visitors can spin. Everyone who walks in her room is welcomed as part of the family. She has an amazing passion for writing. She wants every student to discover their inner writer. She gives them an authentic audience and meaningful work, so students believe in themselves and produce magical pieces of writing. At the end of the year, she invites parents to a Poetry Café where student preform their own poetry! She truly gets to know every student and goes the extra mile to make them feel like her room is a family. At the end of the year, she dedicates a day for each student to be honored with a lunch and a special note from their parent. I asked her students why they think she is the best teacher. They said she breaks every lesson down in a way that every student understand what they are doing. Michelle pours her entire being into being the best teacher every day.
Kelsey Eberhart-4th Grade
Educator, learner, advocate, creative, passionate, and loyal. That is Kelsey Eberhart. I have never met someone who is as passionate about her work as Kelsey. She is the ultimate math teacher who makes learning achievable and fun for every student. When a child enters Kelsey’s classroom, they are seen, heard and valued. Countless times, I’ve witnessed a student walk out of her classroom - literally on cloud nine - because Kelsey made it her mission to show that child they are more than capable. There is nothing better than someone having your back and Kelsey is just that - every student’s biggest math cheerleader! Outside of her regular day, Kelsey is always willing to help a fellow teacher out and shares her passions with our learners through numerous extracurricular activities like: chess club, set club, and robotics. I am proud to work with someone whose priority is creating a safe, caring space and providing a quality education for every student. Kelsey is the definition of a quality educator and, for so many reasons, is deserving of Best of the Springs.
