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The first-year teachers followed included Heather Wojciechowski of Dryden High School, Craig Miller of Imlay City High School, Jamie Buike of North Branch Middle School, Jamie Legato of Lapeer West High School, and Bill Spruytte of Lapeer East High School.

"It seems like it went by fast and doesn't seem like it came soon enough," Wojciechowski, 23, a rookie math teacher said. Her last day of school was June 12. Her summer plans are to "take a break." This fall she will attend extension courses through Michigan State University to earn her master's degree in education.

The biggest lesson Wojciechowski learned this year, she said, is adapting to different learning styles. "I learned how to accommodate different learning style and how you work with different students," she said. "It exceeded by expectations and was everything I wanted. It has been a lot of fun."

The Western Michigan University graduate recalled a favorite moment that happened this year that is the reason Wojciechowski is a teacher. "In calculus, one student said, 'Oh, I get it now' and he lit up," she said. "It's been so rewarding."

The biggest thing Spruytte, 25, has learned this year is to be prepared for anything and learning he had so many great students, he said. "You never know when you'll need to alter a lesson. You have to rely on gut instinct," the Central Michigan University graduate said. "It exceeded my expectations because I knew what I had to teach -- 'Romeo and Juliet,' 'Huckleberry Finn' and the Civil War in my history class. I didn't know how I'd teach it."

Spryutte's last day at East for the year was June 13. His summer plans are to teaching programming to 450 campers at Iroquois Springs in Rock Hills, N.Y. This will be his fifth year at the camp.

His favorite moment of the year? "Getting through the first year," he said. "There was anticipation. I got through it and had a better understanding of my students. I like to say I've made an impression on them."

The greatest lesson Buike, 35, learned this year was "how to reach kids. What people don't understand is middle school is much harder," she said.

A University of Michigan-Flint graduate and math teacher, Buike said part of what goes on in the classroom is confidence on the part of students. "Just because they don't get it at first doesn't mean they're poor at math," she said. "This year exceeded my expectations. I love my job and next year I get to stay in the middle school.

"My favorite moment this year is when it starts to click and students figure out they can do it," Buike said and said it helps to figure out a way so that students don't shut down.

North Branch's last day of school was May 30. Her summer plans are to spend more time with her three kids.

Legato, 31, a Western Michigan University graduate, said the greatest lesson she learned this year was overcoming her expectations. "I exceeded my expectation," the Spanish and English teacher said. "When I first graduated I interned at a school and did long-term substitute teaching and it was a bad experience. I was nervous coming into this, but the students were great and I have the staff."

Add to that the fact Legato was big on student participation to learn more and she had a very good first year at West. "In my classes with activities where student participation was high they performed better and learned more," she said.

Legato said in Spanish class, her students had stories they acted out and dressed up with props from a "magic suitcase" they all loved. She said in English class, her students did reader's theater that was dramatic interpretation. "No matter the lesson I try to get them engaged and it helps them in learning," Legato said.

Her last day of school was June 13. Her summer plans are to tutor a West student twice a week and teach summer school for another district because she said, "That's my passion -- working with kids."

Jennifer Decker can be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8125 or jennifer.decker@lapeergroup.com.