As he prepares to enter his 12th year of teaching, Tyler Schmidt has spent the last four years in the Grain Valley School District as the 6th-8th grade speech and theatre teacher and recently transitioned to solely teaching 8th grade science at Grain Valley South Middle School. He understands and values the importance of his role within the Kansas City and Grain Valley communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI find pride each day in the effect that I make on my students,\u201d said Schmidt. \u201cThe proudest moments are when you witness students using skills or encouragement that you\u2019ve provided them in their own lives or the lives of others. When you talk to students often about ways to build up their character and they put those skills out on display, you see the effect you have made, and it makes you work even harder for the next moment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like many educators, one of Schmidt\u2019s highlights of teaching at Grain Valley South Middle School is the people he\u2019s surrounded with on a daily basis. This stretches beyond the students and extends to parents, other educators, custodians, coaches, nutritional staff members and faculty. They all work together as a cohesive team to help give the students the most important gift they can: their time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am someone who is a life-long learner and constantly looking for advice and ways to grow,\u201d said Schmidt. \u201cWe have an amazing ability to take the events that occur in our lives for what they are, most out of our control, and then we respond<\/em>. If you\u2019re able to respond appropriately and effectively, you will arrive at a desired outcome and opportunities will arise shortly thereafter. This is especially important to remember as a husband, parent of young children, teacher and coach.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aside from teaching, Schmidt has also coached middle school basketball and high school boys and girls soccer at Grain Valley High School. Originally from Maryville, Missouri, Schmidt has lived in the Kansas City area since 2011 and obtained his Bachelor of Education and Master\u2019s degrees from Northwest Missouri State University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While each day presents a new opportunity for Schmidt to impact and influence his students, he presents a simple motto that helps push them to new heights as they prepare for the next chapters in their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo you know the difference between being good and being great?\u201d Schmidt would ask his students. \u201cWhen you are good at something, you\u2019ll tell others about it. But when you are great<\/em> at something, others will tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a straightforward saying that has been able to further strengthen the minds of his students as they continue to grow into the best versions of themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI found students saying this to each other all too often at the end of the school year: \u2018You\u2019re not just good, you\u2019re great<\/em>!\u2019. We were spreading the love and pushing ourselves from being just good to being great,\u201d said Schmidt. \u201cStudents know from the beginning that I have high expectations, and those expectations are rooted in my understanding of what they can handle. I would never ask them to do something that they are not capable of accomplishing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe is a tireless advocate for his students and colleagues,\u201d said Schmidt\u2019s nominator, James Myers. \u201cHe brings positive energy to his classroom every day and is a master educator in every sense of the word. He is a team player who is always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that everyone who learns and works at Grain Valley South Middle School is set up for success. Our building is a better place because Tyler Schmidt is part of our team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTyler\u2019s nominator does a remarkable job in highlighting the numerous areas of excellence that he demonstrates on a regular basis with his students,\u201d said Jenny Housley, Blue KC Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. \u201cTeaching 8th grade science is no easy task, but it\u2019s evident that Tyler\u2019s unique ability to impact and relate to his students helps to create a thriving environment for everyone. It\u2019s an honor to recognize him for this monthly award.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLife is a competition with ourselves, as we try to be better today than we were yesterday,\u201d said Schmidt. \u201cI am their 8th grade teacher forever, not just for nine months.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n Blue KC Sporting Samaritan Program<\/p> <\/div>\n Blue KC supports the Kansas City community through impactful sports partnership programs<\/h3>