Lisa Tyler

Stateline Teacher Pop Quiz: Ms. Burkhardt

Name: Dana Burkhardt
School: Guilford High School
What do you teach?: Special Education self contained Plus room
Years active as a teacher: 18 months

1. What makes a ‘good day’ at school?

Every day can be a good day, we have to remember it is a service job, even if going in to that building with a bad mood, it should switch as we see our students and the opportunity we have to teach them!

2. What inspired you to become a teacher?

I was a clerical at a local High school and felt like I could be doing more for these student as a teacher!

3. Are there any embarrassing teaching moments you’re willing to share? What are they?

I was teaching Julius Caesar to a sophomore class and as I was reading, I kept mispronouncing a name. Eventually one of the students raised their hand and corrected me...then I burst into laughter with them as it was hilarious and humbling!

4. What’s the best thing about being a teacher?

I honestly can not pin point it, I really enjoy everything but again, I just graduated in December.

5. What current trends are baffling to you? Why?

As a Dance coach and Dance teacher, these absolutely ridiculous TikTok dancing trends baffle me. In the classroom, I would say having the internet at their fingertips is a trend that I try to stop in my classroom.

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by Lisa Tyler

Stateline Teacher Pop Quiz: Mr. Kolar

Name: Brad Kolar
School: Willowbrook Middle School, South Beloit
What do you teach?: 6 & 7th grade science
Years active as a teacher: 3

1. What would the students be surprised to find out about you?

Something I think students would be surprised to find out about me, is that I used to be in a band! I love classic rock and I enjoy playing guitar and singing. I think that my stage personality certainly makes its way into my classroom in many facets. I hope that one day our school will have a teacher band to showcase our talents!

2. If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?

When it comes to wisdom, I actually take a day out of the year (we work on period schedules) to go over some thoughts and wisdom before my students move onto their next levels of Middle School or High School. During these periods, I share one major piece of wisdom about the rest of their educational career. I tell them that as they progress through their educational careers, they will have speed bumps along the way. There may be situations that create tension or struggle, but ultimately the people and the materials that will present themselves are there for a reason. Even the largest struggle with motivation can be solved by realizing “I am here for a reason.” I take a moment every year to tell all of my students that they were put here for a reason. They are the future of our world and I am excited to see what they bring to it!

3. If you won the lottery and decided to give up teaching, what would you do instead?

If I won the lottery, I would most likely not give up teaching. I think that it certainly would make that amazing house mortgage go away, but I pursued this career for a reason and I dont see myself doing anything else but education! Upon further review, maybe a trip or more to a tropical warm place would be part of my year, but certainly education would be the bulk of my time!

4. What kind of student were you?

When I was in school, I truly believe that I was not much different than I am now. I enjoyed most subjects in school, but more importantly enjoyed getting to know the teachers who taught them and sharing that interest throughout my schooling. I try as a middle school teacher to create those meaningful relationships that students will remember as they make their way through our school. I think that without the relationship aspect of school, there is a real difficult divide between reality and school. We as a society thrive on socialization and relationships. It creates that true authentic connection between students and their education. My goal as a teacher is to bring that connection to light and show students that if you start early, it can resonate through you as you make your way into the real world.

5. How do you think students will remember you and your class?

Remembering a science class has to be one of the most straightforward things to do. First day of school, light all of your lab tables on fire. I don’t think that view of my class will ever get old! I even included a picture of this in my profile! I was approached at local stores, school gatherings and just about any place near the school by parents when they realized that I was their child’s science teacher. As I mentioned above, I strive to provide students with experiential learning at both levels that I teach. Without experiencing science in real life, we cannot make the middle school legacy meaningful.

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by Lisa Tyler

Stateline Teacher Pop Quiz: Mrs. Houghton

Name: Mrs. Kelli Houghton
School: Willowbrook Middle School in the Prairie Hill School District, South Beloit
What do you teach?: 8th Grade Literature
Years active as a teacher: 21 STRONG!

1. Why did you want to become a teacher?

I take pride in watching a child’s learning journey grow, especially readers. Most often, 8th graders at the beginning of the school year enter my classroom, aka, The Literature Lounge, stating their disgust for reading. After 9 months of learning, being trapped in my class 5 days a week, 40 minutes a day, students leave the Literature Lounge craving more. Check it out!

2. How do teachers keep students engaged and craving more in a classroom?

I believe Teachers create magic with their content, sharing their passion for their craft, and kids feed off of their energy! More importantly teachers build such trusting relationships that kids learn quickly that they can really be themselves!

3. What’s something you have learned after working with 8th graders for so long?

I have taught for 21 years, as an 8th grade Literature teacher. So that means, I can speak “Teenager” well. “You got me, Bruh?!” After decades of teaching, I have lots of stories to tell, but not sure you have enough time to listen…or enough coffee!

4. What’s your favorite part about being a teacher?

Helping students’ write their next chapter. I appreciate that my students all learn differently, and my job is to accommodate their needs and teach them to be successful quality citizens in life.

5. If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?

Be yourself, try new things, take risks, embrace the weird, and continue just giving your best! Effort can go a long way and after all, you really are “stuck in the middle.”

Wishing all 815 teachers a healthy, happy school year and a shout out to all Willowbrook Wolverines!

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by Lisa Tyler

Breast Cancer Survivor: Meghan

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so we’re shining the spotlight on survivors all month long. Meghan is a survivor from Central Illinois. Read her story below.

1. When were you diagnosed?

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March of 2020, which was a very difficult and scary time due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We had just received our shelter in place orders and much was unknown at the time. Little did I know, I was about to add a cancer diagnosis to that growing list of uncertainties.

2. How was the cancer initially detected?

I’m too young to receive mammograms. I received touch exams from my OB-GYN (a survivor herself) every year. In the end, it was my husband who first noticed the lump forming in my right breast.

3. How did you feel when you first received the news?

A diagnosis like this will make you feel everything and feel it harder than you’ve ever felt it before. If you are reading this and you are newly diagnosed, please don’t fault yourself for having a hard time emotionally. You will likely feel scared and angry. There is a lot of pressure on cancer survivors to be positive, be zen, or be warriors. You will be all of these things and all of those feelings are valid.

4. Did you have a support network? If not, how did you overcome it or find it?

My family and friends are amazing, but sometimes you want to talk to other survivors. This was difficult because support groups were not meeting in person due to the pandemic. There are two organizations out there who really helped me: Immerman Angels (who set me up with a mentor) and the Young Survivors Coalition who have a very active social media group. I was able to ask any question, share any fear, and celebrate any victory.

5. Tell us about your treatment process.

I underwent multiple surgeries, five months of chemotherapy, and 30 rounds of radiation. Treatment is tough, but I promise – you are tougher.

6. What message would you like to provide women reading this?

I have two things to tell you: The first: you must not hesitate if you feel something is wrong. Do not give cancer the time it needs to grow. You might hear that breast cancer is “the good cancer” because so many are treatable at early stages, but once cancer is metastatic in your body there is no cure. I have had so many people tell me that either they or their partners found their lump before doctors did—it’s more common than you think. 1 in 8 women will face this diagnosis in their lifetimes.

Second: if you are reading this and you are newly diagnosed you are likely looking to see if I disclose any stats that are similar to your own pathology. You’ll find people out there with stories that mirror yours, but also always remember that this is your own story. You choose how it is written.

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by Lisa Tyler

Breast Cancer Survivor Spotlight: Beth

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so we’re shining the spotlight on survivors all month long. Beth Wankerl is a survivor from Madison, WI. Read her story below.

1. When were you diagnosed and at what age?

October 2007 at the age of 41

2. How was the cancer initially detected? (i.e. through a BSE, a CBE or an annual mammogram)

I went to urgent care with unilateral bleeding in July. I was seen by a male doctor who didn’t think it was anything to be concerned about and was sent home.

3. How did you feel when you first received the news?

The worst part was waiting for the biopsy results. After I learned I had cancer, I was devastated for about 24 hours. Then I decided it was up to me to fight through what I needed to do to survive.

4. Is there a family history of breast cancer?

No.

5. Did you have a support network? If not, how did you overcome it or find it?

I tried a women’s breast cancer group and was immediately “turned off”. It was a pity party and consisted of comparing pathology reports. Not for me. I used exercise to cope. I ran a full marathon 165 days after my last chemo.

6. Tell us about your treatment process.

First, mastectomy with an expander installation for future reconstruction. This hurt horribly. Then it was 3 different “cocktails” which consisted of 3 rounds of each 2 weeks apart. I was always wiped out 2-3 days after the treatment. And then it compounded after each treatment. During this time DO NOT eat your favorite food. You’ll never eat it again.

7. Did you face any obstacles during your treatment process? If so, how did you overcome these obstacles?

I didn’t miss work during this time. It was hard, but I pushed through it. Again, exercise helped.

8. How long have you been in remission or cancer free?

13 1/2 years with annual check ups and mammograms.

9. What message would you like to provide women in the community?

You need to be your own advocate. I should have trusted my instincts when I was sent home from urgent care. If I wouldn’t have had a scheduled mammogram 3 months after my urgent care visit, the outcome could have been very different.

You can’t compare yourself to others. Just because someone else doesn’t have severe reactions doesn’t make you exempt. Focus on your treatment and respect your prognosis.

Lastly, I realized early on that you need to repeat yourself at every appointment. During the intake process at every appointment they ask what meds you are taking, symptoms, etc. I would have thought this history would have been reviewed by each health care professional. Not necessarily. In my case, I was taking medication that I wasn’t instructed to discontinue after my diagnosis. My sister, a registered nurse, discovered this and had me mention to my oncologist which he immediately instructed me to discontinue.

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by Lisa Tyler

Tuesday Morning Donut Dash Winner with By The Dozen Bakery

Congrats to Paul and his crew at Advanced Machine & Engineering in Rockford for winning this week’s Tuesday Morning Donut Dash with By the Dozen Bakery in Machesney Park! You could be next, just sign up HERE to win.

by Lisa Tyler

Breast Cancer Survivor Spotlight: Kathleen

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so we’re shining the spotlight on local survivors all month long. Kathleen Lappin is a survivor from Machesney Park. Read her story below.

1. When were you diagnosed and at what age?

I was Diagnosed October 26, 2018, my husband’s birthday and I was 40.

2. What stage were you diagnosed with?

I was stage 1 grade 3 triple negative invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 3 meaning it was aggressive and faster growing. From October to December it doubled in size.

3. How was the cancer initially detected? (i.e. through a BSE, a CBE or an annual mammogram).

Well I had pain for 6 or so months, it wouldn’t go away. I had no lump and nothing showed in mammogram. I had an ultrasound that found it and then a biopsy the following week.

4. How did you feel when you first received the news?

I already had a bad feeling and just kinda knew already. I could tell something wasn’t quite right. I was initially scared, but saw how my kids reacted and told them, I got this.

5. Is there a family history of breast cancer?

No family history, I was the first in family. Genetic testing proved not to be hereditary.

6. Did you have a support network? If not, how did you overcome it or find it?

I had soooo many people reach out. I also had a friend who was diagnosed months before and ended up having her cancer come back in her scar tissue. She then ended up with same treatment I was undergoing. We helped each other through it. It was really good to talk to someone who exactly understood how you were feeling.

7. Tell us about your treatment process.

I had a double mastectomy. I then had a port placed for weekly blood draws and chemo every 3 weeks. The girls at Mercy Cancer Center were awesome!!

8. Did you face any obstacles during your treatment process? If so, how did you overcome these obstacles?

Well, I had horrible experience after surgery. I won’t go into details, I don’t want to scare anyone going through this. One obstacle was not healing as fast as I should’ve, which postponed treatment. After a few months I had to seek a new Surgeon as the first one, basically did a horrible job. I had to find a new Surgeon who had to redo my reconstruction. I also had a uncommon severe reaction to lidocaine and ended up staying a couple nights.

9. How long have you been in remission or cancer free?

I will hit 3 years December 18th!

10. What message would you like to provide women in the community?

If you are going through this horrible journey, don’t listen to other peoples stories. You will have your own. And to anyone who hasn’t gone through it, please don’t tell a cancer fighter, a story about how your family member died of breast cancer.

If you’d like to be featured next, sign up HERE

by Lisa Tyler

Breast Cancer Survivor Spotlight: Robin

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so we're shining the spotlight on local survivors all month long. Robin Bolte is a survivor from Rockford. Read her story below.

1. When were you diagnosed and at what age?

I was diagnosed in October 2016 and I was 62 years old.

2. What stage were you diagnosed with?

Stage 2 - I had a tumor in my left breast and in one of my left lymph nodes.

3. How was the cancer initially detected? (i.e. through a BSE, a CBE or an annual mammogram).

I had my regular mammogram in March 2016, but my cancer was not detected at that time. I was having some burning sensations, but was told that my mammogram was unchanged from the prior year. I have dense breast tissue and the regular mammogram machine could not see my tumor (they did not have the 3D machine at that point in time). I felt a lump in September 2016 and told my doctor about it at my regular annual check up. My doctor ordered a breast ultrasound which detected the tumor. I was then sent for a biopsy, which was done on October 5, 2016. The biopsy results came back the next day.

4. How did you feel when you first received the news?

I was very scared. My husband had passed away several years earlier and I was concerned about leaving my (adult) children without a parent. I was more concerned about my children then myself.

5. Is there a family history of breast cancer?

At that time, only one of my cousins had also been diagnosed with breast cancer. Both of our cancers are estrogen based. Since that time, another cousin and my great niece have also been diagnosed with breast cancer. One of those cousins died of breast cancer (was stage 4 by time she finally went to the doctor). The other cousin had gone into remission from breast cancer, but later developed leukemia as a side affect from the chemo (used to treat her breast cancer) and died from leukemia. My niece is done with treatment, but is still undergoing reconstruction surgeries.

6. Did you have a support network? If not, how did you overcome it or find it?

I have a very close family, friend, church family, and zumba friends that supported and helped my through my cancer.

7. Tell us about your treatment process.

I had six rounds of chemo, which consisted of 4 different chemo drugs. I had 3 weeks in between each chemo round. The day after each chemo session, I had to go get a shot that stimulated bone morrow production to help build back my immune system (white blood cells). I always had my chemo sessions on Thursday. I would work on Fridays as normal and would go to zumba on Saturday mornings. I usually started feeling weak on Sundays and started to get a metallic taste in my mouth. The Sunday and Monday following my chemo was always the worst. After chemo, I had surgery (lumpectomy) to remove the tumor and 5 of my lymph nodes. After my lumpectomy, I developed a seroma (fluid filled cavity where my lymph nodes were removed) and I had a drain for six weeks (get remove the fluid that was building up). Then I had 30 sessions of radiation. Radiation was Monday through Friday for six weeks.

8. Did you face any obstacles during your treatment process?

If so, how did you overcome these obstacles? I had many reactions to chemo. I developed a chemo rash on your hand, which was treated with steroids. Chemo also caused lots of diarrhea, which had to be treated with medication. After my last session of chemo, I had to be admitted to the hospital because my white blood cell count was too low. My oncologist was excellent and visited me in the hospital everyday even if he was scheduled to be off. During my chemo, I also developed watery eyes because the chemo damaged my tear ducts. I had to have surgery to reopen my tear ducts. I still have lingering issues with my eyes.

9. How long have you been in remission or cancer free?

I have been in remission for 4 years. However, I still take an estrogen blocking pill every day to prevent re-occurrence of the breast cancer.

10. What message would you like to provide women in the community?

To always listen to your body and pursue further medical tests if you feel that it is necessary. I was feeling burning in my breast in March and wasn't satisfied with the response I got to my mammogram. I thought there was something wrong, but didn't pursue it until I felt a lump in September.

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by Lisa Tyler