April 2024 STEEL Awards: Alisha Kruttlin

Willow Springs teacher Alisha Kruttlin named most recent recipient of district's highest employee recognition!
Now close to 20 years in education, Kruttlin recalls her childhood years playing school with her sister in the style of Little House on the Prairie.
As a child, she admired her own teachers, who always seemed so organized, kind, professional and smart. She wanted to be like them.
Kruttlin began her career in the military, serving 13 years in the Air Force, the Army and the National Guard, earning a college degree along the way and eventually entering the teaching field.
The longtime teacher sees her profession as profound and multi-faceted but simple at its heart.
It’s about caring for students, giving them the best chance of success, keeping them safe, serving as a role model and what she calls elevating their thinking.
Kruttlin is determined to teach every child in her care to prepare them for what’s ahead.
“I love to see the development of these young minds,” she said. “I want to keep inspiring them and hope they are able to hold on to dreams and they can come true someday.”
Her students receive a wide variety of instruction, including typing on keyboards, reading and writing and science experiments that incorporates such items as bubbles and clay.
She also is intentional about building relationships with students and is mindful of the stress and anxiety of life.
“It’s not just a job,” said Kruttlin. “You can’t come in thinking it’s just a job. You really have to connect with the kids.”
The best part of teaching, she said, is knowing you can help students through the obstacles they face.
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