December 16, 2004

Teacher of the Month: Debbie Merrell
Los Alamitos Elementary School

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

Since she was a little girl, Debbie Merrell was determined to become either an actress or a teacher. With her current job, she has the best of both worlds.

As a child, Merrell liked to play teacher with friends and dolls, and as a teenager, enjoyed babysitting. “I loved being around kids all the time,” she says. “I just loved them.” Merrell also credits her own teachers with inspiring her career choice, including a wonderful second grade teacher who took the time to learn what motivated and engaged each student. “She knew I liked art, so when I finished my work, she’d have some neat art project I could work on,” recalls Merrell. “It made me feel special and interested.”

This personal approach had such a strong impact upon her that she currently carries on the legacy with her own class. Merrell believes that every child is his or her own person, and needs to be valued for who they are and recognized for their individual strengths. “The more positive and safe they feel in their environment, the more willing they’ll be to learn and try new things,” she comments. Putting her philosophy into practice, after explaining assignments to the whole class, Merrell assesses each student’s progress, assigning leadership roles to those able to assist others, and providing extra attention as needed. “Some kids need that one on one in helping them focus,” she acknowledges.

Although Merrell adores teaching, her love of drama hasn’t deserted her; every year, she directs the entire second grade in a musical rendition of “Peter Rabbit,” bringing their core literature to life. “The artist in me is still there,” she enthuses. “The first graders can’t wait ‘til they come to second grade, because they want to do the ‘Peter Rabbit’ play.”

Merrell received her bachelor’s degree from U.C. Irvine in drama, and attended San Jose State University for her teaching credential. While majoring in drama, she realized that she wanted to make more of a difference in people’s lives, and therefore switched her focus to teaching. Pursuing her passion, Merrell has taught for nine years at Los Alamitos Elementary School. She made her teaching debut in first grade, followed with a first-second grade combo class, and eventually graduated to teaching second graders, where she feels she has found her niche.

At Los Alamitos, Merrell appreciates parents and staff alike. “It’s a really nice work environment,” she contends. “The parents are very supportive and many volunteer in the classroom, and it’s such a great staff to work with. We all care about each other and help each other.”

Merrell makes it a point to keep things light while getting the message across, maintaining a stress-free environment. “We’re serious, and we learn in my class, but I like to keep it fun and enjoyable as much as I can,” she says. It amused Merrill to no end when about five years ago, at age 27, after performing a gymnastics routine in the school’s talent show, one of her students remarked, ‘Wow! You can still do that!?’ “You’re so old to them,” she laughs.

Merrell also utilizes creative approaches in motivating her students and making their subjects more enticing; she brought latkes into class when they learned about Hanukkah, and tamales when they were featured in a Christmas story. As a class reward for learning the word of the month, such as “pumpkin pie,” the class also shared in a movie and popcorn.

In addition, she maintains a class store containing items that students can purchase with tickets they earn as rewards for keeping their things organized, succeeding in timed math tests, and completing bonus pages. For 50 tickets, Merrell used to take students for lunch at McDonald’s, but unfortunately, due to new insurance requirements, she is no longer able to do so.

Merrell feels genuine affection for her students and they evidently feel the same for her. One of her earliest students, Ashley Giersch, appreciated Merrell so much, she chose to return to her classroom to fulfill her high school community service requirements.

“Every year in June, when my class is leaving, I cry,” shares Merrell. “You get so attached to them. Yes, there are struggles, but they’re part of my family, and they’re moving on. I hope that I touch their lives in some way, but they touch me too—each and every one of them.” One of those students was Mallika Bariya who wrote this month’s Teacher of the Month essay.

“Mallika was a fabulous student and a pleasure to have in class,” recalls Merrell. “She’s a very conscientious student. She tries her best, is an eloquent writer, and always does beautiful work. She loves to learn, and it comes through in everything that she does. She’s also a loving and caring little girl who always gives me hugs.”

My Teacher, Mrs. Merrell

By Mallika S. Bariya

Mrs. Merrell, my second grade teacher, helps my class in all that we do. She makes the work we do enjoyable and fun. Sometimes she gives us rewards if we do very well. When someone does something wrong, she tells them not to do it, but rarely shouts. If we behave ourselves, and do what she says, she gives us little red tickets. At the end of the month, we get to spend the tickets on little toys. We can also spend them on McDonald’s coupons.

My teacher wears a wonderful smile that lasts throughout the day. She tries to make every subject we learn as easy as possible. If someone is having difficulties, she lets us continue our work, and then helps him or her. In our report cards, she writes very sweet things. If we don’t do well in school, she tells our parents ways to help us.

At the end of the day, Mrs. Merrell gives us our homework and says bye-bye. I love my teacher very much.

Could your teacher be the next Almaden Times Teacher of the Month?
The Almaden Times Weekly is accepting essays from students honoring the special teachers in their lives. We will make every effort to acknowledge every teacher and every essay which is sent in. Send us a short (maximum 300-word essay) on your teacher and how they have affected your life. This can be a past or present teacher.

Teachers can be an elementary, middle or high school teacher who teaches at a school within the 95120 or 95118 zip codes. E-mail the essay to julie@timesmediainc.com or fax the essay to (408) 494-7078. The editorial staff will choose an essay each month. The student’s essay will appear in the paper and the student will receive a gift certificate to McDonald’s. The teacher will be featured in the paper and receive a gift certificate to Pure Bliss Day Spa and Amato’s Pizzeria. Be sure to include your name, phone number, address and school at the end of your essay.