Mt. Hall and Naples Elementary Schools
Molly Cochell is Boundary County School District’s March Certified Employee of the Month. Mrs. Cochell, also referred to as Miss Molly by her beloved students, teaches kindergarten at Naples Elementary. Although Miss Molly is new to the school district, she is not new to teaching. She has been teaching kindergarten and preschool for 27 years.
When school first started, I remember visiting her classroom and thinking to myself, “How are kindergarten teachers not the highest paid employees of our district?” When kindergarteners start the year, many of them don’t know how to do things such as standing in line, waiting their turn, getting hot lunch, riding the bus, and the list goes on. If you were to see the transformation from the start of school to how much the kindergarteners know now, you would be amazed. It takes someone truly special to teach these children.. Miss Molly is the epitome of a patient, kind, and nurturing teacher. Students and staff agree that Miss Molly has been a great addition to our school.
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Besides running a busy kindergarten classroom, Miss Molly co-authored a book titled ELA the Kindergarten Way, and for fun she takes part in the district-wide math program. Miss Molly is so inspiring as an educator. She is always looking to better her practice as a teacher, but also better the school by bringing in artists and enriching the lives of our students.
Outside of teaching, Miss Molly spends her time with her husband, Ted. Together they enjoy the outdoors, spending time with their children and grandchildren, and playing with their favorite four-legged family member, their Great Dane, Ellie.
I cannot speak enough to how incredible Miss Molly is. Ms. Linda Lee, Naples’ secretary, said, “Molly is a can-do person with an infectious laugh.” Ms. Lee loves going into Miss Molly’s room because of all of the singing and laughing that takes place. Kindergartener Quinn also agrees that Miss Molly is a very nice teacher. When I asked Quinn what he likes most of Miss Molly, he said, “She’s nice to everyone.” Miss Molly makes Naples Elementary a great place for students to come learn, play, and grow.
Thank you Molly for all that you do.