Asbury Educator of the Month: Kathy Theis

When students walk into Kathy Theis’ guidance office at Clays Mill Elementary, they immediately know this is their space, too.

One side of the office is designed for “Chill Sessions” featuring soft lighting, pale blue walls and springy chairs where fidgety kids can “bounce it out.” The other side is where Theis hosts lunch gatherings with students. She has a “Work It Out Wall,” filled with posters on managing conflict; the “Happy Wall” covered with inspirational quotes; and a jar full of conversation starters.

Theis, a child guidance specialist, connects with students about their emotional well-being. It’s something she learned while teaching at Booker T. Washington Elementary, a Title I school.

“It’s instilled in me that we’re teaching the whole child,” she said. “Not just academics, but life skills.”
After six years in the classroom at Booker T., she earned a master’s degree in counseling and moved to Clays Mill five years ago.

Theis visits every class for sessions once a month and has an open-door policy for students. She created a form on the Clays Mill web site where teachers, parents and students can submit a referral to see her.

She’s also a strong advocate for home visits.

“It’s about breaking down those barriers,” Theis said. “After every home visit I would sit in my car and write down three things about that kid that had nothing to do with academics. That’s the only way to make those connections.”

An Illinois native, Theis is a Cubs fan who loves to watch her nephew play baseball. But even on weekends, she is thinking about her students. Monday mornings you can find her asking how a soccer game went or if a student enjoyed the movie they had planned to see.

She mails postcards to students over the summer, and fifth graders write a letter to themselves that Theis mails to them over the summer.

“I thrive on working with kids,” she said. “I like to finish that story with them.”

Principal Grant Davis said Theis’ dedication to her job is evident to all who meet her.

“There’s nothing she can’t do,” Davis said. “She is kind and compassionate. She always wants to do what’s best for kids, and the parent community loves her.”