Mrs. Cooper

Fourth Grade Teacher

Interaction with her students and the anticipation of “something new every day” are what make teaching exciting for fourth grade teacher Mrs. Cooper. A member of the St. Hilary faculty since 2004, she previously taught first and third grades elsewhere. In addition to teaching fourth grade homeroom subjects, Mrs. Cooper teaches all of the fourth grade social studies.

Her favorite subject to teach is reading, and her love of books frequently leads her to visit the children’s sections of local bookstores. She incorporates fun activities into her reading lessons, such as making T-shirts and having parties that coordinate with the themes of the books students are reading. Even students for whom reading is not a favorite activity can’t help but find themselves enjoying Mrs. Cooper’s reading classes.  She is constantly adding new novels to her reading program to reach all areas of interest for her students.

Fourth graders study Ohio history and regions, and Mrs. Cooper integrates hands-on activities into her social studies lessons to make them come alive. One activity students enjoy is transforming such simple things as paper towel rolls, rice and beans into “rain sticks” when learning about Native Americans.

Of special significance to Mrs. Cooper is the opportunity to attend Mass weekly with her students. She also enjoys teaching religion, and is impressed by the quietness and attentiveness of her students when she teaches this subject.

Among the things Mrs. Cooper feels set St. Hilary School apart from others is the opportunity for students to attend special classes such as art, enrichment, music, foreign language, and more on a weekly basis. She also says the camaraderie of year-end class picnics, as well as special programs such as the school talent show and spring musical, make the St. Hilary experience special. “Students here have many opportunities that may not be available at other schools,” she says.

Her most memorable moment as a St. Hilary teacher has been attending the school’s annual eighth grade graduation ceremony. She describes it as a “wow!” event, and looks forward to following each year’s fourth graders through to the completion of their St. Hilary education.

A graduate of Lorain County Community College and Kent State University, Mrs. Cooper holds an associate’s degree in applied business, a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in the art of teaching (elementary education, grades 1-8). In her spare time, Mrs. Cooper enjoys running and listening to books on tape.

Mrs. Herd

Fourth Grade Teacher

Mrs. Herd joined the St. Hilary School faculty in 2000, and has been making a difference in the lives of fourth graders ever since. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious, much to the delight of her students. “It’s fun!” says Mrs. Herd of her job as a fourth grade teacher.

Mrs. Herd incorporates many tools that make her lessons exciting, such as participating in hands-on activities, using white boards, playing games, and more. She has taught all grade levels during her teaching career, and she enjoys teaching every subject. Currently, Mrs. Herd teaches math in addition to her fourth grade homeroom subjects.

The high expectations placed upon students, and the fact that students are held accountable for what they do and fail to do, are among the attributes Mrs. Herd sees as differentiating St. Hilary from other schools. Also important to her are the support of parents and the kindness of her co-workers.

Mrs. Herd enjoys attending weekly Masses with her students. It is important to her that the students in her classroom see themselves as a family. She uses show-and-tell and other techniques to enable her students to share parts of their lives with one another. The importance of each of Mrs. Herd’s students is evident in her philosophy that “the children have to be center-on”.

Class picnics and field trips afford Mrs. Herd time to relax and talk with her students, which helps her build a rapport with each one. She enjoys spending her free time reading and gardening.

Mrs. Kovarik

Fourth Grade Teacher

As a fourth grade teacher at St. Hilary School since 2000, Mrs. Kovarik has enjoyed working with her students because they are eager to learn and to try new things. The excitement of her students for learning is just one reason she says, “Teaching keeps you young!” In addition to teaching fourth grade homeroom subjects, Mrs. Kovarik teaches science and reading.

A self-described “high-energy person”, Mrs. Kovarik characterizes her classroom as high-energy, as well. She is a Harry Potter fan, and her love of the series helps her relate to her students, many of whom also enjoy the books and movies. One of her most memorable moments at St. Hilary was dressing in costume as Harry Potter for the school’s annual Halloween parade.

The many special class offerings at St. Hilary provide diversity that enhances the students’ educational experience, Mrs. Kovarik says. She adds that the involvement of parents also affords St. Hilary a great advantage over other schools.

Mrs. Kovarik most enjoys teaching science and religion, and spent many years as a religious educator and youth minister prior to teaching full time. A graduate of Baldwin Wallace College and John Carroll University, Mrs. Kovarik holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master of arts degree in theology.  Mrs. Kovarik enjoys musicals and playing flute.

Mrs. Fickes
Fourth Grade Teaching Assistant  
 

Starting the day with a smile and a prayer and letting God do the rest is how St. Hilary School third grade teaching assistant Mrs. Fickes approaches each day.  “I try to lift the children up daily in my prayers.  When I work with a child, I want them to know they are unique, treasured and loved,” she says.

Mrs. Fickes especially enjoys working with students who have special needs.  She says she is continually amazed at the many gifts that God shares with us through His blessed children.  “To learn as much as you teach every day is truly a gift,” she says.

A product of Catholic education through high school, Mrs. Fickes finds being able to pray at school a true blessing.  She says it is wonderful to work in a place “where, at least a half dozen times a day, everyone stops what they are doing to offer time to the Lord and pray together.”

A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Mrs. Fickes holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing and management.  She shares her faith by teaching in the St. Hilary Parish School of Religion (PSR) program and has completed courses to become certified as a Catechist in the Catholic Church.  Mrs. Fickes enjoys Bible study, playing volleyball, hiking, beading, and scrapbooking.