EDUCATION + SCHOOLS

Cathy Condie – Hobble Creek Elementary

Mar 5, 2014, 9:28 AM | Updated: Aug 4, 2022, 11:49 am

The first time anyone looks through Mrs. Cathy Condie’s hall leading to her exciting classroom, they see artwork that looks like it should be in a museum but is created by every student in her fourth grade class! Every year as a parent, I look at the art even if my kids are not in her class just because it’s so spectacular. Once anyone steps into her classroom, they know instantly that her passion is teaching. She has her room themed as “All the World is a Stage.” There are paintings, trinkets, interesting objects with different nationality themes from all over the world. She even has ukuleles that the class can learn to play as rewards for stellar work.

One day, I was helping with a project in Mrs. Condie’s classroom and listened as she taught. Many kids sat down first thing even before school started, looked at the board with their assignments on it, and got to work. Once the bell rang, everyone was focused and listening to this amazing teacher. She was explaining a wide variety of material over an hour or so of surprisingly advanced material in writing and math while giving out assignments. The students worked diligently. I noticed Mrs. Condie going around helping a large number of students especially the struggling ones. She would comment on some of their writing and had selected students to read their work to the class. The kids were getting restless so she put some soothing music on to listen to. She then started talking about Vincent Van Gogh. His life, art posted on her wall, and style of art came to life through her words. It reminded me of my Humanities class in college! The kids seemed mesmerized.

I asked my son why he liked Mrs. Condie so much. He said, “She teaches us stuff so many different ways that we all understand what she is teaching.” Just like a parent she is a teacher that wants each child to live up to their potential no matter what their ability is! Her teaching style is so fast paced that children listen and are rewarded for their outstanding work. Discipline problems are minimal, because the kids don’t have much time to talk or get into mischief.

One day my son told me that he has changed the way he holds his pencil. I asked him why. He responded, “Mrs. Condie made me redo a couple of assignments, because my writing was too sloppy. I decided that I better change my writing because I don’t want to redo my assignments again.” What a miracle! I have been trying to get him to improve his handwriting since kindergarten!

At the first of the year, many of the students were sometimes forgetting to write their names on their papers. My son had this problem a few times in other grades. After he and his classmates got their papers thrown away and had to redo their assignments, the problem was solved. The children knew she was being fair and didn’t even seem to complain.

My son also made another positive comment about Mrs. Condie, “We get rewards for doing good things in class.” Many times if they act great as a class, they can do fun things in the afternoon such as an extra recess or a fun art project. The kids work hard and many times are rewarded with educational fun. Individual kids can earn other rewards like sitting in the massage chair, bringing treats for their team, sitting by the teacher, choosing games for inside recess, or sitting by a friend for 1 day. She is adamant on each student turning in all of their work and behaving well in school. If children turn in all their work throughout the week and act appropriately, they get Friday fun which is an additional art project. Those who are not caught up on their school work get favored with extra time to catch up or read a book if they had attitude problems.

My son explained to me that she teaches life skills such as using good manners, proper language, appreciation for privileges they are given, and becoming responsible students.

My neighbor told me that her son had Mrs. Condie. He was not the best student. After learning the habits of an A student in Mrs. Condie’s class, he became an A student and continues his good habits in junior high. Years after having Mrs. Cathy Condie, he still talks about the great year he had in fourth grade. I hope this will be the case with my son and his classmates!

–Rosie Jameson

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Education + Schools

alpine school district signage shown...

Logan Stefanich, KSL.com

Amid ‘tension’ in Alpine School District, board votes to study potential district reconfiguration

Alpine School District's board of education has voted unanimously to begin a study into reconfiguring the biggest district in the Beehive State.

11 months ago

A student at Toeele Junior High School brought an unloaded firearm onto campus Thursday morning, ac...

Simone Seikaly

Student found with unloaded gun at Tooele Junior High

Tooele Police said a resource officer learned about the gun from an administrator, who heard from a teacher, who heard from a student.

11 months ago

Burned trees piled on the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration land pictured...

Adam Small and Samantha Herrera

$300,000 cleanup getting property back to raising money for public schools

The School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration has to clear decades worth of bullets and rifle pellets from a former Boy Scouts camp.

11 months ago

A lawsuit filed against the Alpine School District, the district's board of education and Superinte...

Logan Stefanich

Parents file lawsuit against Alpine School District over potential closure of 5 elementary schools

The suit comes less than a month after the same group of parents threatened to bring legal action against the Alpine School district.

11 months ago

Fourth grade teacher Emily Weigel shows her students that it might be hard to fit under their desks...

Amanda Dickson

What teachers want during Teacher Appreciation week — R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

Teachers and parents alike work tirelessly to educate and raise kids. Here's what one organization says about appreciating your teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week.

11 months ago

climate change education...

Marjorie Cortez, Deseret News

State School Board restores climate change science standard by 1 vote

The majority of the Utah State Board of Education members ended up rejecting a recommendation that would remove climate change language from the state's science standards.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Cathy Condie – Hobble Creek Elementary