Spanish Oaks Most Valuable Player: Heidi Dimmick

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Heidi Dimmick has spent the past 5 years teaching preschool out of her home while raising her kids.  Prior to teaching preschool, Heidi taught both Kindergarten and 1st grade at Westside Elementary for three years before transferring to Riverview Elementary, when it opened.  At Riverview, Mrs. Dimmick was a kindergarten teacher for 2 years.  Now that her youngest is attending kindergarten, Mrs. Dimmick is back to teaching in elementary school, in 3rd grade this time.  Having spent her teaching career up until this year with students all 7 years and under, 3rd grade was a little bit of a transition for Heidi.  Third graders, in comparison, are far more independent.  Every so often Heidi has to remind herself that her 3rd graders can solve problems, think critically, and just do a lot for themselves.  That independence goes a long way when it comes to Heidi's favorite subject to teach this year:  math. "There is something so exciting about teaching an idea or concept that might be hard for a student to understand at first, and then the look in their eyes as they start to understand it.”

Mrs. Dimmick is one of 6 of our wonderful teachers that share a classroom and teaching duties with another teacher.  Heidi teaches in the morning, and is home in time to spend the afternoon with her daughter.  The other half of this third grade tandem is Angela Olsen, who spends the mornings teaching kindergarten.  The best thing about this arrangement is her teaching partner. “Angela is a great listener and has been so helpful.”  Heidi and Angela find it very helpful to each other to talk about their class, as well as having two minds to solve problems or come up with fun ideas.  The worst thing, Heidi admits, about not being there all day is the “missing out.”  Mrs. Dimmick might be their teacher just half day, but her students adore her.

Heidi loves being at Spanish Oaks saying, "Spanish Oaks has an incredible faculty and staff that work hard at helping people feel like they are a part of things."  It isn't just the faculty and staff, our students and their families have impacted Heidi, as well. "The students' families are welcoming, and the students know each other and are kind."

When she isn't at work, Heidi enjoys spending time with her family; her husband of 13 years and her 3 children, ages 9, 7 & 6.  Reading is also one of her preferred activities, and … Bridge to Teribethia is her favorite book.  Heidi's favorite color is purple and she loves daises.  She likes to snack on Reeses Pieces and drink Dr. Pepper 10.  Mrs. Dimmick is an amazing teacher with a huge heart, and always a smile on her face.

"I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

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Article by: Misty Bard, PTA