Teacher Spotlight: Media Elementary's Hans Kalbach

Media Patch is offering a feature called Teacher Spotlight where we will feature a local teacher who deserves recognition. Teachers give a lot to their students, schools and studies and we'd like to recognize them and say a simple, thank you, for all that they do.

This Media Elementary School second grade teacher comes from a very large family so caring for children is in his blood. He has taught at the school for more than nine years and has also been a mummer for 24 years, in both the Greater Overbrook String Band and now the Avalon String Band.

Teacher: Hans Kalbach

School:

Grade/Subject: Second Grade

Years in the Industry:  11 years total, nine years at Media Elementary

Teaching History:

Prior to Media Elementary, Kalbach taught second grade at St. Madeline St. Rose School in Ridley Park for two years. He attended West Chester University and is currently enrolled in graduate school at Cabrini College.

What do you like most about your job:

I like watching the students grow from the beginning of the year and see them learn something new that they can show off to their parents and friends.

Why did you become a teacher:

I'm the 10th child in a family of 13 children and after all her children were grown my mom cared for foster children too, more than 26 foster children over the years. So there were always kids in the house and it was great to see them grow and have success and I think that's what interested me to have the same impact on kids. My mom was also a teacher before she starting having kids too. She has 26 grandkids now so she's no longer fostering children.

What do you like best about your current school:

I live the diversity of the student population. We have students with French, Middle Eastern, Spanish and Asian descent. My co-workers are great too. It's a real family atmosphere, everyone gets along and is supportive.