October 10, 2025 • 8 mins
Set sail with us on this special episode of the PME Pirate Podcast as we celebrate our Teacher of the Year - Mrs. Lindsey Herrick! Our hosts chat with this amazing educator about favorite classroom moments, funny stories, and what makes Poole’s Mill such a special place to learn.
We’ll also share updates about our upcoming Online Learning Day on October 17, Fall Conferences happening this month, and our Chills and Frills Drive collecting coats and fancy dresses through October 17. Don’t miss this heartwarming and fun-filled episode becuase it’s packed with pirate pride!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_06 (00:11):
Ahoy, maidies! Welcome back to the Pools Mill
Podcast, where we sail the seasof learning and fun.
I'm Art Noodle.
This is Tracy Newland.
SPEAKER_05 (00:22):
I am Brittany Meisner, first grade, ready to
uncover the treasures of PoolsMill Elementary.
SPEAKER_04 (00:28):
And I'm Jessica Rossetti, bringing you all the
news, laughs, and maybe even afew surprises.
SPEAKER_06 (00:33):
Today we have a super special guest, our very
own teacher of the year.
Woo!
SPEAKER_05 (00:40):
Woo! That's right, Miss Lindsay Herrick.
Congratulations.
We are so excited to have youhere.
Thank you so much.
I'm so happy to be here.
SPEAKER_04 (00:50):
All right, let's dive right in.
We've got a few fun questionslined up.
Starting easy.
SPEAKER_06 (00:55):
If you could have any superpower to help you in
the classroom, what would it be?
SPEAKER_01 (01:01):
Ooh, I feel like teachers always have that um, I
guess, pretend superpower ofeyes in the back of our head,
and I really wish that was true.
I wish I could always see whatwas happening behind me.
SPEAKER_05 (01:13):
We can, children.
We can.
All right.
What's your favorite thing aboutteaching at Pools Mill?
SPEAKER_01 (01:20):
Um, the community, just the people, the students,
the families.
Um, I feel like I get to know.
Now I get to actually teachsiblings of people that I
taught, and I I just think it'sso fun to get that opportunity.
And also students who come backand say hello and and things
like that, or the sweet emailsor messages that I get from
(01:42):
parents or family members, um,the community itself is that's
my why.
I love it.
I love that.
SPEAKER_04 (01:48):
Thanks for sharing.
All right, so if your class werea pirate ship, what would be the
ship's name?
SPEAKER_01 (01:53):
Ooh, so my class knows I love Dr.
Pepper.
And I have to say, ourfundraiser we just did, we had
um our name, which was duh Dr.
Pepper's.
So it would have to be somethingwith Dr.
Pepper.
That's a good question.
Probably like I'd have to thinkon that, but definitely
something with that, because mystudents insist on it.
(02:14):
I love that.
That's funny.
SPEAKER_06 (02:16):
All right, Mrs.
Herrick.
What is one thing that alwaysmakes you laugh during the
school day?
SPEAKER_01 (02:22):
Ooh, um, I think the connections that we make
sometimes with each other.
Um, it can be something simplelike when we're reading a book
and they make a connection,students make a connection to a
character in the book, butsometimes it's just silly
things.
Um, and I love just seeing whatstudents come up with or
creative ideas they come up withand they share those.
(02:44):
And when it's so good they can'tnot share it, so they're just
dying to share something.
Um that makes me laugh.
It makes me giggle to see thatwe're so passionate about it and
and we just we can't not shareit.
And they they come up with somefunny, funny little sayings and
things.
So anytime they can use theircreativity, that makes me laugh
because they come up with someclever little ideas.
SPEAKER_05 (03:06):
Yes, they are.
SPEAKER_01 (03:06):
Awesome.
SPEAKER_05 (03:07):
Do you have a favorite book or story that you
um share maybe each year orsomething that you always go
back to?
SPEAKER_01 (03:14):
Um so at the beginning of the year, I always
do um our class is a family anda letter from your teacher on
the first day of school.
So those two.
And then the last day of school,I always do a letter from your
teacher on the last day ofschool.
But the special thing about theletter from your teacher on the
last day of school is there's apage in the back where you can
write a letter to your students.
(03:35):
And so I always write that thatpage, and I have a book for
every year that I've taught.
Um, and so I read that letter tothem, and that's just a personal
thing that I like to do withthem.
And um then I, you know, sendthem on the bus, and it's it's a
sad moment, but it's I have thatto kind of remember them and
cherish that that group.
So that book is special becauseit's special for our class each
(03:56):
year.
SPEAKER_04 (03:57):
That's so great.
One of the many reasons why youare the teacher of the year.
Okay, one last question for you.
If you could swap jobs withanyone at the school for a day,
who would it be and why?
Hmm.
SPEAKER_01 (04:11):
Pick me, pick me.
Art is, yeah, that's a fun one.
Um maybe I know that MissHoffman does so much in the
front, but I do think it's kindof fun sometimes to get to see
everybody checking in andchecking out and talking to the
teachers when they send stuff upor they have to check in with
her, and she's just always got asmile on her face up there.
(04:32):
And so maybe Miss Hoffman.
Okay.
SPEAKER_06 (04:36):
Well, thank you so much.
We've enjoyed learning about youtoday.
SPEAKER_01 (04:40):
Thank you guys for having me.
SPEAKER_05 (04:41):
Absolutely.
Well, let's hear from a few ofour students.
Miss Letterbach asked a few ofour kiddos why Miss Herrick is
the best teacher.
Let's have a quick listen.
SPEAKER_00 (04:51):
I think Miss Herrick's the best because she's
always someone that you cancount on to have a smile on her
face and to put one on yourstoo.
She is super smart and kind toothers, and she can help you
with anything that you need helpwith.
SPEAKER_07 (05:03):
I think Miss Herrick is the best because um she's
very kind and nice, and she umalways brings me a smile to my
face.
SPEAKER_02 (05:12):
I think Miss Herrick is the best teacher because she
helps other people learn intheir own way.
So if you like sports, she helpsyou like put math somehow into
sports as and there are threefootballs on the field.
How many more do they need toget five?
And I think that's really sweet.
She always is kind and she'spatient with each with all her
(05:36):
students.
So if you really if you needsome other way, if you don't get
what she's saying, she alwaysmakes sure you you're not left
behind and you're not confused.
SPEAKER_03 (05:54):
Like if you need help on like on a math problem,
she says you like you can cometo her and like she can fix like
any problems and then like shecan give you like more
strategies and then like whenshe gives you like math
problems, but then you needhelp, you can you can always
come to her and then you can andthen she can always you can
always count on her to solvemany problems and give you more
(06:14):
strategies.
SPEAKER_08 (06:15):
Is Herrick's the best because she is patient with
everyone?
She also always does bring asmile to everybody's face.
SPEAKER_01 (06:25):
Oh, that was so sweet.
I love all my students and Ilove hearing their kind words
and just their love because Ilove each and every one of them
so much.
SPEAKER_06 (06:34):
Alright, before we move to our quick fire round,
friends, we have a few importantupdates for all of our
listeners.
SPEAKER_05 (06:41):
First, don't forget that October 17th is an online
learning day for our students.
Teachers and families, make sureyour Chromebooks and materials
are ready for a full day oflearning from home.
SPEAKER_04 (06:52):
And this month we're having fall conferences.
It's a great chance to meet yourteacher and celebrate all the
amazing things happening here atPulls Mill.
SPEAKER_05 (06:59):
Also remember no school October 20th for
students.
That is a student holiday athome.
Enjoy your time off.
SPEAKER_06 (07:07):
Plus, our Chills and Frills charity drive is still
going strong.
We're collecting coats and fancydresses for kids in need until
October 17th.
If you'd like to help, bringyour items to the front office
or your student's classroom.
Now we're gonna have our quickfire round.
My favorite.
All right, Mrs.
Herrick, we're doing a lightninground.
Quick answers only.
(07:28):
Favorite snack?
Ooh, popcorn.
unknown (07:31):
Yes.
SPEAKER_06 (07:33):
Morning or afternoon person.
SPEAKER_01 (07:35):
Afternoon.
Coffee tea or hot chocolate.
Coffee.
SPEAKER_06 (07:38):
Favorite classroom supply.
SPEAKER_01 (07:40):
Colored pens.
SPEAKER_05 (07:41):
Cats, dogs, or unicorns.
Dogs all the way.
And that wraps up this specialTeacher of the Year edition of
the Pools Mill Podcast.
SPEAKER_04 (07:52):
Huge thanks to Miss Herrick for joining us.
You inspire all of us every day.
SPEAKER_06 (07:56):
And thanks to our students for their awesome
answers.
P I R A T E S, Pools MillPirates are the best.
Ahoy, maidies! Welcome back to the Pools Mill
Podcast, where we sail the seasof learning and fun.
I'm Art Noodle.
This is Tracy Newland.
SPEAKER_05 (00:22):
I am Brittany Meisner, first grade, ready to
uncover the treasures of PoolsMill Elementary.
SPEAKER_04 (00:28):
And I'm Jessica Rossetti, bringing you all the
news, laughs, and maybe even afew surprises.
SPEAKER_06 (00:33):
Today we have a super special guest, our very
own teacher of the year.
Woo!
SPEAKER_05 (00:40):
Woo! That's right, Miss Lindsay Herrick.
Congratulations.
We are so excited to have youhere.
Thank you so much.
I'm so happy to be here.
SPEAKER_04 (00:50):
All right, let's dive right in.
We've got a few fun questionslined up.
Starting easy.
SPEAKER_06 (00:55):
If you could have any superpower to help you in
the classroom, what would it be?
SPEAKER_01 (01:01):
Ooh, I feel like teachers always have that um, I
guess, pretend superpower ofeyes in the back of our head,
and I really wish that was true.
I wish I could always see whatwas happening behind me.
SPEAKER_05 (01:13):
We can, children.
We can.
All right.
What's your favorite thing aboutteaching at Pools Mill?
SPEAKER_01 (01:20):
Um, the community, just the people, the students,
the families.
Um, I feel like I get to know.
Now I get to actually teachsiblings of people that I
taught, and I I just think it'sso fun to get that opportunity.
And also students who come backand say hello and and things
like that, or the sweet emailsor messages that I get from
(01:42):
parents or family members, um,the community itself is that's
my why.
I love it.
I love that.
SPEAKER_04 (01:48):
Thanks for sharing.
All right, so if your class werea pirate ship, what would be the
ship's name?
SPEAKER_01 (01:53):
Ooh, so my class knows I love Dr.
Pepper.
And I have to say, ourfundraiser we just did, we had
um our name, which was duh Dr.
Pepper's.
So it would have to be somethingwith Dr.
Pepper.
That's a good question.
Probably like I'd have to thinkon that, but definitely
something with that, because mystudents insist on it.
(02:14):
I love that.
That's funny.
SPEAKER_06 (02:16):
All right, Mrs.
Herrick.
What is one thing that alwaysmakes you laugh during the
school day?
SPEAKER_01 (02:22):
Ooh, um, I think the connections that we make
sometimes with each other.
Um, it can be something simplelike when we're reading a book
and they make a connection,students make a connection to a
character in the book, butsometimes it's just silly
things.
Um, and I love just seeing whatstudents come up with or
creative ideas they come up withand they share those.
(02:44):
And when it's so good they can'tnot share it, so they're just
dying to share something.
Um that makes me laugh.
It makes me giggle to see thatwe're so passionate about it and
and we just we can't not shareit.
And they they come up with somefunny, funny little sayings and
things.
So anytime they can use theircreativity, that makes me laugh
because they come up with someclever little ideas.
SPEAKER_05 (03:06):
Yes, they are.
SPEAKER_01 (03:06):
Awesome.
SPEAKER_05 (03:07):
Do you have a favorite book or story that you
um share maybe each year orsomething that you always go
back to?
SPEAKER_01 (03:14):
Um so at the beginning of the year, I always
do um our class is a family anda letter from your teacher on
the first day of school.
So those two.
And then the last day of school,I always do a letter from your
teacher on the last day ofschool.
But the special thing about theletter from your teacher on the
last day of school is there's apage in the back where you can
write a letter to your students.
(03:35):
And so I always write that thatpage, and I have a book for
every year that I've taught.
Um, and so I read that letter tothem, and that's just a personal
thing that I like to do withthem.
And um then I, you know, sendthem on the bus, and it's it's a
sad moment, but it's I have thatto kind of remember them and
cherish that that group.
So that book is special becauseit's special for our class each
(03:56):
year.
SPEAKER_04 (03:57):
That's so great.
One of the many reasons why youare the teacher of the year.
Okay, one last question for you.
If you could swap jobs withanyone at the school for a day,
who would it be and why?
Hmm.
SPEAKER_01 (04:11):
Pick me, pick me.
Art is, yeah, that's a fun one.
Um maybe I know that MissHoffman does so much in the
front, but I do think it's kindof fun sometimes to get to see
everybody checking in andchecking out and talking to the
teachers when they send stuff upor they have to check in with
her, and she's just always got asmile on her face up there.
(04:32):
And so maybe Miss Hoffman.
Okay.
SPEAKER_06 (04:36):
Well, thank you so much.
We've enjoyed learning about youtoday.
SPEAKER_01 (04:40):
Thank you guys for having me.
SPEAKER_05 (04:41):
Absolutely.
Well, let's hear from a few ofour students.
Miss Letterbach asked a few ofour kiddos why Miss Herrick is
the best teacher.
Let's have a quick listen.
SPEAKER_00 (04:51):
I think Miss Herrick's the best because she's
always someone that you cancount on to have a smile on her
face and to put one on yourstoo.
She is super smart and kind toothers, and she can help you
with anything that you need helpwith.
SPEAKER_07 (05:03):
I think Miss Herrick is the best because um she's
very kind and nice, and she umalways brings me a smile to my
face.
SPEAKER_02 (05:12):
I think Miss Herrick is the best teacher because she
helps other people learn intheir own way.
So if you like sports, she helpsyou like put math somehow into
sports as and there are threefootballs on the field.
How many more do they need toget five?
And I think that's really sweet.
She always is kind and she'spatient with each with all her
(05:36):
students.
So if you really if you needsome other way, if you don't get
what she's saying, she alwaysmakes sure you you're not left
behind and you're not confused.
SPEAKER_03 (05:54):
Like if you need help on like on a math problem,
she says you like you can cometo her and like she can fix like
any problems and then like shecan give you like more
strategies and then like whenshe gives you like math
problems, but then you needhelp, you can you can always
come to her and then you can andthen she can always you can
always count on her to solvemany problems and give you more
(06:14):
strategies.
SPEAKER_08 (06:15):
Is Herrick's the best because she is patient with
everyone?
She also always does bring asmile to everybody's face.
SPEAKER_01 (06:25):
Oh, that was so sweet.
I love all my students and Ilove hearing their kind words
and just their love because Ilove each and every one of them
so much.
SPEAKER_06 (06:34):
Alright, before we move to our quick fire round,
friends, we have a few importantupdates for all of our
listeners.
SPEAKER_05 (06:41):
First, don't forget that October 17th is an online
learning day for our students.
Teachers and families, make sureyour Chromebooks and materials
are ready for a full day oflearning from home.
SPEAKER_04 (06:52):
And this month we're having fall conferences.
It's a great chance to meet yourteacher and celebrate all the
amazing things happening here atPulls Mill.
SPEAKER_05 (06:59):
Also remember no school October 20th for
students.
That is a student holiday athome.
Enjoy your time off.
SPEAKER_06 (07:07):
Plus, our Chills and Frills charity drive is still
going strong.
We're collecting coats and fancydresses for kids in need until
October 17th.
If you'd like to help, bringyour items to the front office
or your student's classroom.
Now we're gonna have our quickfire round.
My favorite.
All right, Mrs.
Herrick, we're doing a lightninground.
Quick answers only.
(07:28):
Favorite snack?
Ooh, popcorn.
unknown (07:31):
Yes.
SPEAKER_06 (07:33):
Morning or afternoon person.
SPEAKER_01 (07:35):
Afternoon.
Coffee tea or hot chocolate.
Coffee.
SPEAKER_06 (07:38):
Favorite classroom supply.
SPEAKER_01 (07:40):
Colored pens.
SPEAKER_05 (07:41):
Cats, dogs, or unicorns.
Dogs all the way.
And that wraps up this specialTeacher of the Year edition of
the Pools Mill Podcast.
SPEAKER_04 (07:52):
Huge thanks to Miss Herrick for joining us.
You inspire all of us every day.
SPEAKER_06 (07:56):
And thanks to our students for their awesome
answers.
P I R A T E S, Pools MillPirates are the best.
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