Kristyn Poleski, a kindergarten teacher at Barber Elementary School, poses in front of her home in Henderson Friday, Oct. 23, 2020. Poleski won a first place prize in the Juicy Juice 100% Thankful Teacher Contest.
Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020 | 2 a.m.
Kristyn Poleski is a teacher because she loves working with children, but a juicy $1,000 prize recognizing her efforts is a nice bonus.
Poleski, a kindergarten teacher at Shirley Barber Elementary School in the south valley, was a first-place winner in a national teacher appreciation contest sponsored by the Juicy Juice fruit drink company.
“I absolutely love the little ones. They have never set foot in school before. It’s their introduction,” Poleski said. “I love being the one to set that groundwork down and lay the foundation for their learning.”
Teachers were nominated by parents, and the winners were chosen by public voting from August through September.
Poleski, who along with other contest finalists received more than 10,000 votes, won a $1,000 gift card to use at Michaels arts and crafts stores and vouchers for Juicy Juice products.
She plans to use the gift card for classroom supplies and give the vouchers to her students, she said.
“I was so touched to receive so many votes from people all over the country,” Poleski said.
Poleski has been teaching online since Clark County schools closed toward the end of last school year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
She has recorded video lessons, read books aloud online and arranged Zoom gatherings. Last school year, she drove to each of her students’ homes to deliver their graduation certificates and treats.
She is also writing a children’s book in her free time.
“Just because the schools closed doesn’t mean I took a vacation,” she said.
Enrique Trinidad, who nominated Poleski for the contest, said the teacher has helped his daughter stay engaged in learning during the pandemic.
“Ms. Poleski did a great job of knowing my daughter's talents and abilities and helped to grow them instead of letting her hit a plateau,” Trinidad said.
