Cal State Fullerton Alumna Receives
OC Teacher of the Year Honors

BY VALERIE ORLEANS

While fourth-grade teacher Michelle Skidmore may have been surprised to learn she was one of five to receive Orange County Teacher of the Year honors, it was no surprise to her professors at Cal State Fullerton.

“Michelle was a wonderful student,” said Ashley Bishop, dean of the College of Education and one of Skidmore’s former professors. “She was bright and insightful and quickly saw the practical applications of all that was presented in her graduate courses.

“She is a terrific teacher and has the special ability to systematically teach students essential skills and provide them with the desire and confidence to use such skills,” added Bishop, one of Skidmore’s references for the annual county teaching award. “Her students feel they can learn anything they want to learn. What a great gift she gives them!”

Skidmore says she wanted to be a teacher ever since she was in fifth grade.

“I had a teacher who made such a difference in my life,” she said. “Based on her example, I knew I wanted to make a difference in children’s lives too.”

After she began teaching, Skidmore realized she wanted to be able to better reach out to her students. That’s when she decided to pursue a master’s degree and a reading specialist credential at Cal State Fullerton. She earned her master of science degree in education-reading in 2003.

“When I was at Fullerton, my professors were wonderful about demonstrating how we, as teachers, could make reading exciting for students,” she said. “In addition to reading well, I want my students to develop critical thinking skills so they can make reasoned judgments. I’ll ask them if they believe what they’re reading is accurate. Is the information relevant?”
Skidmore knows that she’s reaching her students when she hears them laughing during reading sessions.

“I want them to read for pleasure, as well as knowledge,” she said. “That’s what makes a student become a lifelong learner.”

Skidmore also stresses to her students that hard work is good. In fact, one of her favorite expressions is: Excellence requires extra effort.

“The children say that to each other now,” she laughed. “What I hope I’m doing is helping them establish patterns and habits that serve them well throughout their lives.”

Among the ways Skidmore tries to engage students is by selecting books that are meaningful to them, as well as books that appeal to students of differing reading abilities.

“There isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ category with books,” she said. “But if I know the kids are dealing with certain situations or problems, I try to find books that also focus on these areas.”

It’s a practice known as bibliotherapy and Skidmore credits Bishop with showing her how to use books to help children by reading and discussing stories about others with similar problems. This helps students not only solve problems but also guides them to better understand the personal value of reading in their lives.

Because of her excellence in teaching, Skidmore not only teaches at Ladera Ranch Elementary School but serves as a part-time lecturer in the College of Education.

“We want someone like Michelle who has the passion and the drive to excel to help us prepare future teachers,” said Bishop.

“I was thrilled to be asked to teach at Cal State Fullerton,” Skidmore said. “The university has an excellent reputation for producing wonderful teachers. It’s a source of pride for me to be asked to help prepare the next generation of teachers.”