FAST FIVE: Greta Gissel: A true North Idaho gem
Meet Greta Gissel, an Idaho native and graduate of the University of Idaho, whose devotion to her community runs deep. As a first-grader at Bryan Elementary, Greta knew she wanted to become a teacher. Her passion for education and dedication to her community drives her to connect and inspire those around her. She enjoys inviting her many friends over to her home and spends most of her time with her parents and her 11-year-old energetic and adorable daughter, Isabelle.
Generation:
As a Gen Xer born in 1970, I love seeing the ‘70s and ‘80s continue to rock and roll our world. I remember playing in Mount Saint Helens ash on Hastings Avenue, where I grew up and digging in the field that was across from my home. I saw “Star Wars” in the Wilma theater in 1977. Taco Time on Sherman was my favorite! I enjoyed jumping off of Tubbs Hill’s rocks into the lake as a teen. I would return home each day when the street lights turned on and traveled on many adventures with my parents. Oh, those sure were the good ol’ days!
Career and community involvement:
In every aspect of every job there is a purpose to educate or share ideas with those around you, which usually leads to you learning something as well. My degree in education has served me well. I lived in Japan for two and-a-half years teaching English to students ranging from 3 years to 83 years old. Subsequently, my education while in Japan was steeped in culture, customs and language barriers. I worked in the mortgage industry for eight years educating clients or brokers in all facets of the real estate world. I’ve had more jobs than I care to mention, but once you find your passion it is no longer considered work. I currently love teaching my sixth-graders at the Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy.
Upon moving back to Coeur d’Alene in 2011 to raise my young daughter, I began to see the disparity between children’s reading levels. I started researching grade-level reading and began to understand the tragic gap between students who graduate from third grade reading proficiently and those who were behind. My involvement with the Coeur d’Alene Education Partnership led me to meet others who shared my passion for reading. These meetings led to the creation of K. I. D. S. (Knowledge, Independence, Direction and Success) Camp, a vision for increasing literacy over the summer break. With the support of many community partners, the program was a success. K.I.D.S. Camp also revealed the need to place books in the hands of our most fragile learners. This passion led me to begin Jingle Books. Over the past six years Jingle Books, a used book drive, starting every year in October has delivered more than 148,000 books into the hands of kindergarten through third grade kids in our community. Every December, Jingle Books are delivered to each elementary school in our school district. The joy beaming from the children’s faces as they choose their forever books is priceless.
Parental status:
I am a single parent of a clever and strong-willed 11-year-old girl. She loves her pet chinchilla Chilly, and her Betta fish Santiago.
1. What are you experiencing as a teacher finishing your first year with a new school during a global pandemic?
My father, Norman Gissel, started the Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy in 1999 with Dr. Prosser and others. He believed that all children should know that they have the opportunity to choose and fulfill their dreams through meaningful quality education. I share that passion for excellence. As a member of the staff of the Cd’A Charter Academy, I feel honored to be a part of an immensely successful institution. COVID-19 hit our community hard. I vividly recall standing in front of my students presenting the global news regarding the pandemic, the stock market and how history was being made and they were a witness to it. Principal Nicklay began discussing preparation early in February regarding the possibilities and challenges of online learning. As a staff, we were prepared to go online, but as a teacher when the email arrived, I just sat and cried. I cried because I wasn’t going to see my students, for the loss of the moments we have in class, the way in which I can tell if one of my kids is having a great or bad day and the opportunity to celebrate achievements in and out of class. I mourn the loss of time spent with my students and the one-on-one chats I had with each of them. The students I have taught this year at Charter have touched my heart deeply. I adore them and know they are prepared for what lies before them as seventh-graders. My colleagues and I worked hard to ensure that online school was meaningful and challenging. When I clicked online for the first meeting with my kids, I felt relief that I could still “see” their faces daily. I received a thank-you card from one of my students recently prefaced with “Don’t cry,” and she wrote, “Please don’t cry because you’re not a rain cloud, you are a star.” I believe that all of my students are stars.
2. Where has your mind been during these crazy times?
During these crazy times, my thoughts mostly have been about my parents and students. I want to keep parents safe from COVID and engage meaningfully with my students. My first question when I call my mom daily is, “How are you feeling?” As for my students, I start out our day with a meaningful and powerful quote, followed by a dumb joke. The eye rolls, golf claps and forehead-slapping my kids share online while we’re laughing fills me with joy. Then we continue with the business of our school day.
3. What are a few projects you have in mind for the future, or that you’d like to see happen?
I will continue to work on Jingle Books beginning in October. Going forward, I’m not sure what our program will look like, but my hope is that people will still donate their used books, volunteers will sort and distribute those books and then deliver them into the hands of every kindergarten through third-grade student.
4. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I approach every day with alacrity. I developed a passion for travel early on in my life. At 16, I was an exchange student in Aalsmeer, Holland. Who knew you could gain 10 pounds eating lasagne, bread, butter and chocolate in one summer? The exploration of our magnificent world will continue for the rest of my life.
5. What is one of your most favorite things about growing up/living where we do?
My favorite thing about growing up in Coeur d’Alene are the people and the memories I have made and will continue to make in this gorgeous place I will forever call home.
