Susie Rahlmann, a long-time instructor of the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center, was one of the first in the state to be featured on a teacher-centered website that the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recently rolled out.

Having been named the district-wide Teacher of the Year during 2012/13, Rahlmann was among a selection of faculty members submitted by the district to DESE for going above and beyond to help her students achieve success. The resulting ‘Missouri Teachers’ article went viral locally last week when it was shared on social media.

“I want to say, I’m not sure why they picked me,” Rahlmann wrote on Facebook in response to the multitude of comments and texts she has received. “There are many, many great teachers throughout PB Schools that should be selected and recognized every day… I’m glad to be a part of such a great school district.”

A 17-year veteran, Rahlmann is a specialist at the kindergarten age level of development, always looking for an opportunity to incorporate a life lesson into the curriculum. She said she gains her fulfillment from watching students go from not being able to write their name to learning how to read an entire children’s book. “I just feel like we’re the lucky ones, getting to see the most growth,” Rahlmann stated.

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Cutline: Susie Rahlmann goes over the classroom rules with an attentive group of kindergarteners on the first day of school.