St. Joseph School

Kaitlyn Hartman is a senior at the University of Central Arkansas who’s scheduled to graduate in December. She’s set to earn a B.S.E. degree in Middle Level Education with a concentration in English Language Arts and Social Studies. She’s doing her practice teaching at St. Joseph Middle School with 4th grade teacher Cara Pizzolatto observing. If that wasn’t enough to fill her schedule Ms. Hartman also serves as Youth Faith Formation Director for St. Joseph Church.
In the latter capacity, Ms. Hartman has a wide variety of responsibilities regarding religious education for Catholic students in the public school system. These include coordinating sacramental practices, ceremonies, retreats, and receptions. “She’s very strong in her Catholic faith,” Ms.Pizzolatto said. “She’s worked so well with the youth in the church and already has relationships with a lot of the kids.”
As a practice teacher, one of her recent lessons was a research project that required her students to learn about the origin of their names. “I wanted them to find out the meaning behind their names,” Ms. Hartman said. “They also had to interview their parents and learn why they picked the names they chose?
Hartman’s interest in teaching seems to be in her genes. “I come from a long line of teachers.” she said. “My mom is a teacher, all my aunts are teachers, and my sister is a teacher. I love the profession and it’s very service oriented. I enjoy working with the kids and having a good time with them.”
“I think she is a complete professional,” Ms. Pizzolatto added. “It’s hard to believe she hasn’t already been in her own classroom for a number of years. I think teaching comes very naturally to her.” As to how Ms. Hartman balances everything she’s doing, she says “It’s definitely by the grace of God. I’ve learned a lot of things working here at St. Joseph as a student teacher that’s benefiting my ministry. I’ve also been able to take things I’ve learned in the youth ministry to assist me in the classroom.”