Star Student - Kaitlyn Maddox

Sabal Palm Elementary

Grade: Fourth

Favorite subject: Math

Favorite foods: Meatloaf

Favorite music group/artist: Any kind of jazz because it is soothing and relaxing

Hobbies: Singing in chorus and drawing

What do you like most about your school? The wonderful teachers that are here and the way they help us learn

Nominated by: Teacher Sarah Malicoat

Here’s what Ms. Malicoat has to say about Kaitlyn: Kaitlyn has a true passion for learning and amazes me every day with her "out of the box" high-level thinking. She is like a sponge when it comes to taking in new information and mimicking my own questioning skills when she is helping other students to succeed.

Recently, I allowed Kaitlyn to act as the "teacher" while discussing our Number of the Day. She displayed excellent questioning skills and identified herself as an expert in the area. She even made sure that she was distributing her questioning equally and including everyone, several times calling on students who didn't raise their hand or weren't paying attention. She offered specific praise when students responded to her questions and probed students who were incorrect through further questioning and encouragement. She was like my “mini me.”

Kaitlyn was also selected by her peers to represent our class as Student Council representative. The students who nominated her described her as kind, helpful, responsible and outgoing. After the first student council meeting, Kaitlyn confidently presented the information to the class in her usual well-spoken manner. I would consider Kaitlyn to be an “old soul” based on her adult-like demeanor and vocabulary. When I informed Kaitlyn that I would like to nominate her as a Duval Star she told me that it meant a lot to her and it was an honor. When I explained all of the reasons I was nominating her, she politely said thank you and offered me a compliment as her teacher. She is truly an amazing individual that I am so honored to teach!