Guyer’s passion for helping others led to MCSD behavioral coach


MCSD Behavioral Coach Shannon Guyer, far left, visits with second graders in Mrs. Koos’ class. During Peace Circle Time, the students shared what they did over Easter break. Guyer also asked each student to talk about what they like and don’t like while outside at recess. Teacher Associate Buffy Clark is also pictured. Guyer has been with the district since 2008. (Photo by Kim Brooks)
Panther Professionals
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     Panther Professionals is a weekly series highlighting educators, administrators, staff and aides who are dedicated to the future of the Monticello Community School District.

     Monticello School District preK-12 Behavior Coach Shannon Guyer’s job is due to taking a chance while signing up for classes in college.

     “It’s the best whim I ever had,” she laughed.

     Guyer, who’s been with the MCSD since December of 2008, always knew she wanted to take on a profession what allowed her to help others. And on a whim, she signed up for teaching courses at the start of her freshman year at Western Illinois University.

     “At one point I wanted to be either an astronaut or flight attendant,” she said. “But I thought my fear of flying would get in the way.”

     Guyer made a worthwhile choice, and has made a difference in the personal and professional lives of the staff and students in Monticello.

     She ended up earning a bachelor’s degree and graduate hours from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill. She sought a degree in special education with an emphasis on students with intellectual and behavioral needs.

     Before coming to Monticello, Guyer taught special education at the high school level for 22 years.

     “I worked in many different places,” she said, “teaching students with challenging behavioral needs.”

     Then Guyer made the switch to elementary students, and worked with kids with intellectual disabilities, as well as physical disabilities.

     For the MCSD, Guyer is in her third year as the district-wide behavioral coach.

     “I needed a change and a challenge,” she said of taking on a position that allows her to work with a variety of students in all grade levels.

     Guyer works with the students, teachers, staff and aides, introducing what she calls restorative practices.

     “We focus a lot on communication,” she said, between the adults and the students, and between the students themselves. “If some harm was done, we focus on how to make the situation right.”

     A lot of “making the situation right” involves discussing how the student feels, whether it’s about a problem on the playground or an upcoming test in the classroom.

     “We talk about being kind to each other, and with the elementary students, talking about the PBIS character traits,” explained Guyer.

     Because she works with all grades, Guyer travels from building to building on any given day during the week.

     “I just help out where I’m needed,” she said.

     She said teaching is a hard job, and the students come from all different backgrounds, different family situations, with all sorts of needs.

     “I try to support the work that the teachers are doing, working through the challenges,” she said.

     Guyer said each building within the MCSD has its own perspective and culture, “contributing to the district as a whole.”

     “My job has allowed me to better understand how we all fit together, with each building having its own needs in different areas,” she shared.

     Guyer’s role as behavioral coach also entails collaboration with the staff.

     “The teachers initiate a lot of what I do,” she said of hearing from the teachers about what’s going on with their individual students and classrooms. “I go where the needs are, and some years we have more or less needs. I go where I’m most helpful.”

     Guyer has the mindset that all students, no matter their needs, are part of the general education system. “We have some students that require different learning support and accommodations,” she said.

     As if making her way across the district isn’t enough, Guyer is the chief negotiator for the MEA (Monticello Education Association), which represents the district’s teachers. She’s been involved in this leadership role for two years now.

     “I’m very active in the association,” she said. “I am a strong believer that teachers are professionals and should be valued as such.”

     Guyer attends school board meetings when needed and advocates on behalf of her fellow educators when it comes to contract negotiations.

     In terms of how public education in the State of Iowa is viewed, Guyer said local control is important to her.

     “Teaching the whole child is the root of the education system in Iowa,” she explained, “and you have less of that with Common Core.”

     She’s also taken on the roles of high school student council sponsor, Interact Club sponsor, high school Building Leadership Team, and AIW leadership coach.

     “I like to be involved; that’s big for me,” she said. “I’m a life-long learner.”

     Guyer said the students in Monticello are lucky to have teachers who “care so much” for them as they help the kids learn and grow. “Our teachers truly work hard to be at the top of their profession,” she said. The ideas that are brought into the classrooms, Guyer offered, are examples of that ingenuity. “We are always encouraging our teachers to learn,” she added.

     Overall, looking at the district as a whole, Guyer had this to say: “There are some amazing things going on here. Monticello has some big ideas, and a lot of opportunities for all students.”

     Does Guyer ever have free time? With her two daughters now out of high school, Guyer said they enjoy spending time together shopping. In her personal free time, Guyer likes to go out for a movie or travel, a past time she wished she had more time for.

     “We are really family oriented,” she said of spending time together as a whole.

 

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