Teacher Appreciation Week: Suzie Moore Finds New Ways to Engage Students

BETHALTO - Suzie Moore is passionate about helping her students learn.

Moore teaches English language arts at Trimpe Middle School in the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she is reflecting on the ways she tries to go above and beyond for students.

“It is so amazing to know that I am making a difference in so many lives, no matter how small,” she said. “It is incredibly special when a past student reaches out with memories of our class!”

Moore grew up helping her mother with an in-home daycare. She enjoyed working with kids, and, as she got older, she sought out more opportunities to help children through babysitting and volunteering with her church. By the time she graduated high school, she knew education was her natural next step.

As a teacher, Moore has recently developed a new way to challenge and support her students. She revamped the school’s reading program, called Eagles Read, and collaborated with local businesses to reward students for their reading.

Trimpe Middle School students can now earn raffle tickets for each hour they read and a small prize for every eight hours of reading. The raffle prizes range from Cardinals tickets to mini fridges.

Moore said it “makes [her] so happy to have seen so many more students reading.” Her program is working, due in large part to her own passion for reading and the way she encourages her students.

Teaching does come with its challenges. It can be difficult when a student misses school, as Moore wants to make sure they get everything they can out of the lesson. But she works hard to support students in these situations and help them learn.

In her free time, Moore enjoys “calm, maybe boring hobbies” like crocheting, coloring, putting together puzzles, and listening to audiobooks. It’s important to her that her students have the encouragement they need to be successful, but also supported. She goes out of her way to make sure her students get what they need.

“My favorite part of teaching is creating a safe space for students to be themselves,” she added. “When students can feel safe and comfortable, they learn more than when they don't have that safe space.”

Thank you to Mrs. Moore for your work as a teacher!

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