Paula M. Olson
Kindergarten Teacher
Year Honored: 2002
Fairmeadows Elementary SchoolWest Des Moines, IA
At the time of the Award, Paula M. Olson was:
TeacherPhenix Elementary Early Childhood Center
West Des Moines, IA
Subject(s) taught: Title I Reading
Grade(s): K
Biographical Information
At Phenix Elementary Early Childhood Center in West Des Moines, teacher Paula M. Olson's first-grade students learn through a rigorous focus on problem solving, inquiry, hands-on activities and technology. Through the Teaching and Learning with Computers program, Mrs. Olson incorporates technology-based learning centers throughout her classroom where students of varying skills work cooperatively to reinforce and extend the concepts being taught. Her success in piloting the program influenced district-wide implementation of this approach and led to her selection by Heartland Area Education Agency 11 as a "Demonstration Classroom Teacher" for effective technology integration. An adjunct instructor at Simpson College, Mrs. Olson collaborated with a math specialist to design a program allowing Title I teachers to provide additional instruction to students needing extra help without pulling them out of the classroom.