“Most days, all of us–teachers, students, parents–are just trying to do our best”.
When Linda Bisarek started her career in education, she was just twenty-two years old. Even as a young teacher in the jumble of her first year, Linda recognized that teaching was never going to be just a job. She had found her calling.
Over the course of her career, which has included working as an educator across five districts in various roles, Mrs. Bisarek has understood teaching to be the continuation of a transformative personal and professional journey she began as a student.
Linda has always loved schools. As a child, she enjoyed most of her teachers and classmates, but there was another distinct element, one that she’s considered over the years, and returned to often as an educator. “I think I’ve always sensed that there was a potential in school, first as a student and later as an educator, to create something extraordinary that doesn’t exist in any other context. We have an opportunity to create entirely new possibilities for each other.”
In order to co-create new opportunities for her students, Mrs. Bisarek points to the importance of trust. “Working in education, you come to understand that there are real prerequisites for success, and those have to be in place before you can concentrate on the academics. A part of that is to be acknowledged, on a human level. If I can cultivate a relationship with a student, I’m better equipped to help that student.”
Linda’s philosophy of connection and care impeccably aligned with the adoption and implementation of the CharacterStrong curriculum in the district. Mrs. Bisarek’s Servant Leadership class, a requirement for all freshmen, acknowledges and prioritizes personal integrity as a critical component in our education. The class focuses on intentional character development and trains students to recognize their influence on the world around them. Students learn about building community, leadership, self-management, interpersonal skills, and coping techniques for today’s world.
The curriculum, and the class, play to some of Mrs. Bisarek’s greatest strengths as an educator, and embody some of her greatest passions. Hillsboro students may best explain Mrs. Bisarek's impact, with Junior Alaina Moreno stating, "Mrs. Bisarek always puts people first, whether it be caring for a staff member having a hard week, or helping students that struggle getting through the day. She has so much care and patience for each student that walks through the halls, and will always find a way to make you laugh." Freshman Abby Osborn explains, "Mrs. Bisarek is always radiating positive energy, but what makes her a great teacher is how she articulates things for us. She's always so good at explaining things in a way that makes you understand."
Photo Credit: Gem Elmer