At Davis Elementary School, Holly Hunter’s beaming smile and positive, welcoming nature light up the lives of her students, colleagues and community. A third grade English language arts and reading teacher, Hunter specializes in capturing student interest through the use of engaging projects, such as using a 3D printer to make objects that accompany writing pieces, or researching, writing and printing their own nonfiction books. Hunter incorporates the Science of Reading into her literacy curriculum, working with students frequently on phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. She helps students take ownership of their learning by setting goals, analyzing work and data to make informed decisions, and receiving continuous, constructive feedback. Also building confidence and empowerment at a young age, Hunter’s class reads Wendy Ewald’s “The Best Part of Me,” which turns into a wider discussion, writing, and photography project in which students identify and articulate parts of themselves that they value.
A lifelong learner, Hunter seeks to increase her own knowledge and instructional skills. At Davis Elementary, she serves as the leader of the third grade ELA professional learning community (PLC), where she models best teaching practices and assists her colleagues with curriculum, instruction, assessments, and lesson planning. Hunter’s role on the school’s leadership team has allowed her to have a role in implementing the Science of Reading schoolwide, organizing class schedules, hiring new staff, reviewing data, and more. Further supporting her colleagues, she teaches monthly competency-based professional development as part of the social emotional learning (SEL) committee, serves on the positive behavior instructional support (PBIS) team, and has supervised student teachers. At the district level, Hunter is a model teacher, opening her classroom door to districtwide observation while also serving on the SEL team, Iowa’s statewide Teacher Leadership and Compensation Plan committee, and the ELA committee.
At the end of each year, Hunter highlights each of her students with a spotlight poster, where classmates can leave positive messages and memories about that student for them to have as a keepsake. She works to involve families year-round with constant communication, invitations to her classroom, and the opportunity for students to present their projects.
Hunter is National Board Certified. She earned her bachelor’s in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa in 2015.
Press Release: Grinnell Elementary Teacher Surprised with Prestigious, National Milken Educator Award – and $25,000!
