For Sydney Thoele, teaching fourth-grade math and science at Newton Elementary School is about much more than lessons and grades — it’s about connection. A 2021 Teutopolis High School graduate and Illinois State University alumna, Sydney admits that math wasn’t always her favorite subject. “It wasn’t my first choice,” she says, smiling. “But now, I love it. The more I teach it, the more I see how creative problem-solving can be.”

After graduation, Sydney wasn’t sure where she’d begin her career. “I was open to wherever opportunity took me,” she says. When she saw an opening in Jasper County, the decision came naturally. “I already knew the area, and I had family who worked in the district — my aunt and my brother-in-law — so it just felt like home.”

Now in her first year at Newton, that sense of belonging has only grown. “The kids accepted me right away,” she says. “I was nervous at first, being young, but they’ve been great. They’re funny and curious and keep me on my toes.”

Sydney teaches as part of a team-teaching model which has been used for years at NES. She and Mrs. Boldrey share two groups of students — one teaches math and science, while the other handles reading, language arts, and social studies. Sydney explains, “The kids switch once a day, which helps them get used to having multiple teachers. It’s good practice for junior high.”

That structure has helped Sydney grow, too. “If a lesson doesn’t land with my morning group, I can tweak it for my afternoon group,” she says. “You have to be flexible and figure out what works best for each class.”

Her teaching style — calm, patient, and relationship-driven — reflects what she valued most in her own teachers. “The ones I remember weren’t just good at explaining things,” she says. “They noticed when I was struggling and sat down with me until I got it. They made me feel like I could do it.”

That kind of care is what she hopes to give back. “Sometimes kids think their teachers aren’t there for them,” she says softly. “But I want my students to know they can come to me about anything — even if it has nothing to do with school.”

Growing up surrounded by educators made teaching feel almost inevitable. “It’s always been in my heart,” she says. “My family would tell me, ‘You’re a natural. You connect easily with kids.’ That’s what convinced me this was the right path.”

She also credits the Newton community for its support. “At parent-teacher conferences, almost every parent told me, ‘We’re on your side,’” she recalls. “That kind of encouragement means everything.”

Like most first-year teachers, Sydney has faced a steep learning curve, but she’s embraced it. “In August, I was so nervous — I felt like I had no idea what I was doing,” she says. “Now I’m more confident, more adaptable, and better at reading what my students need.”

What drives her most, though, is helping children feel seen. “Education keeps changing,” she says. “But what doesn’t change is the need to make kids feel valued and to show them why learning matters.”

With warmth in her voice, she adds, “I think I’m right where I’m supposed to be — and I want my students to feel that way too.”