Karlie Gibson’s second graders at Walkerton Elementary School describe her as fun, energetic, caring, and loving.  Throughout her nine years in the classroom, Karlie finds ways to bring her passions for hands-on learning and developing a growth mindset to life.  Karlie plans learning experiences that reflect those passions, such as the hatching of chickens in the spring and service learning opportunities which include “Pennies for Penguins” and collecting food for families in need.  Serving on the Student Teacher Assistance Team allows Karlie to collaborate with her colleagues to better meet students’ needs.  Additionally, Karlie was named the coordinator for the John Glenn School Corporation’s New Teacher Mentoring Program, allowing her to develop relationships with veteran teachers and new teachers.  One of Karlie’s long term goals involves working in a university setting, and she is excited that the Armstrong Program allows her to help develop outstanding future educators.