Exceptional Educators: Eagle Point Elementary School's Sue Campbell and Michelle Sundblad

If history has taught us anything about teams it is that the right duo can, and often does, complement one another while achieving results that would otherwise have been impossible.

For example, Batman had Robin; Fred Astaire had Ginger Rogers; Butch Cassidy had the Sundance Kid; and Seigfried had Roy.

With regard to teaching, tandems are no different.

In the kindergarten department of Oakdale's Eagle Point Elementary, one such team exists. Eighteen-year veteran Susan Campbell and relative newcomer Michelle Sundblad exude enough energy to make one think they are capable of leaping tall buildings, fighting off Federales and taming tigers.

Both Campbell and Sundblad knew very early on that teaching would become their forte. While Sundblad found herself amazed by watching children grow and develop in high school courses, Campbell knew much earlier.

“I knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was in second grade. There was no other choice or option for me,” Campbell said. “I’ve been in the education field since 1988. I taught in Chicago and I’ve been at for 15 years.”

Actually, both women are qualified to and experienced in teaching older children. Sundblad's license allows her to teach up to third grade while Campbell can teach as high as fourth. But neither hesitates to say kindergarten is their favorite.

“I love seeing the excitement on the kids’ faces when they finally learn how to read or finally master something they’ve been working on for a long time. Their little faces just glow,” Sundblad said. “I taught second grade for four years too. That is a lot of testing but kindergarten is still about playing. In second grade the curriculum becomes their day whereas here we can still read a funny book or sing a funny song.”

“I love their honesty. The things they say and do are so innocent. The world hasn’t corrupted them yet,” Campbell said. “They appreciate the laughter and the fun they have in my class. I give them respect. I listen to them.”

While both Sundblad and Cambell clearly enjoy the silly side of their jobs and the cuteness of the children they teach, they both realize that the role they play in the lives of their students is significant.

“We are the nurse, the social worker, the coach, the referee and the therapist all in one,” Cambell said. “Giving these kids a positive start in life is huge.”

“We provide stability,” Sundblad said. “We are always here, teaching them how to interact with others; teaching them how to be respectful. We're providing the basis for life skills.”

And the children clearly respond to the energy and positivity Sundblad and Campbell provide.

One of Sundblad's favorite stories is when she was out of the classroom for five days while her own 1-year-old son was sick. “As soon as I walked in the door after being gone it was smiles and hugs from all of them. They had written me messages like 'It was ruff ruff when you were gone' alongside pictures of a dog. It was really amazing to see.”

And it is not just the children that appreciate the efforts of the terrific tandem.

Rosie Eberhard—or 'Grandma Rosie' as she is affectionately referred to by everyone at Eagle Point Elementary—is a mainstay in the kindergarten department. Having volunteered her time and energy to School District 622 for the last 40 years, Grandma Rosie has been exposed to countless children and hundreds of teachers.

“(Sue and Michelle) are very dedicated. They’re concerned. They care about the kids and they’re firm. You need a teacher that is firm and fair to each child. They also need to be concerned about each and every child, and Sue and Michelle are that. They’re the greatest.”

And while it might be easy to win smiles from kindergarten kids or convince Grandma Rosie of their incredible teaching capabilities, Campbell and Sundblad are also highly touted among the Eagle Point administration.

“Sue enjoys sharing her love of learning and has an abundance of patience when working with her kindergarten students,” Eagle Point principal Kathy Nadeau said. “And Michelle is a high-energy teacher, which is just what kindergartners need. She is an extremely kind and warm-hearted person.”

Staying motivated in a profession that constantly requires positive energy, creativity and ingenuity is no easy task, but Campbell and Sundblad draw their inspiration from the students themselves.

“If I’m not up and excited and motivated and energized, they’re not going to be engaged, and that’s not fair to them,” Sundblad explains. “I love coming to work. Yes you have tough days but seeing the light bulb go off in some kids is fabulous.”

“I'm really motivated by the newness,” Cambell said. “You never know what is going to happen that day in class. You come to work because of the kids. If you're having an off day, they know it.”

It would seem their profession comes with an ample supply of motivation, fun and silliness, but the duo is quick to point out that being a kindergarten teacher is not without its challenges. Lack of parental support is the most pressing issue Campbell and Sundblad face and, according to them, it affects the growth and development of the other children as well.

“If you don’t have the support from home and you’re having difficulties with the child there is no back up,” Campbell explains. “It is a struggle all day long and then you feel like the other children are not getting the education they need because you’re focusing on one kid or group of kids.”

Sundblad said, “(Lack of parental support) is huge. We’re their teacher for 180 days a year but the parents are their teachers for life.”

Campbell and Sundblad both blush when asked what makes them great teachers. They refuse to answer for themselves but offer kind words for each other.

“Michelle is smart and she loves the kids. She always comes up with great age-appropriate skill-building games,” Campbell said. “She takes her job very seriously and she uses a creative approach to the curriculum to give the kids what they need. She takes them above and beyond where they need to be.”

Given strict directions not to use the same answer, Sundblad said of Campbell, “With teaching you have to be flexible and Susan is exactly that. It is one of her best characteristics. I can always rely on her. Also the kids are always giving her hugs. She has built a great relationship with her class as well as their parents. She has really built a community in her classroom.”

Whether Eagle Point's dynamic duo are actually superheroes disguised as teachers is yet to be determined, but one thing is certain: Their teamwork and dedication has earned the respect and admiration of colleagues, administrators and, perhaps most importantly, the families they serve.