It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
For senior Mikaela Platt, the wonderful role models of her teachers at Iola High School and before that in elementary and middle school have inspired her to become a teacher.
“I had Mrs. (Daryl) Sigg and Mrs. (Julie) Strickler as two of my elementary teachers,” Platt said. “They provided a lot of inspiration, because looking back at it now, you can tell that they love their jobs from all the things that they did with us. They were always happy people and I want to be like that.”
Platt said she enjoys working with younger children and is going to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher.
The 4.0 student has been very active in her time at IHS. She participates in volleyball, basketball, National Honor Society, FFA and Student Council.
“Sports helped me make friends and gave me the feeling that I was a part of something big,” Platt said. “I have a lot of memories with that.”
One of her biggest role models spent a majority of her time with Platt on the basketball court, not the classroom.
Basketball coach Becky Carlson is an elementary physical education teacher at Lincoln Elementary. Platt credits Carlson with providing lessons that will carry over from the court into everyday life.
“Coach Carlson definitely had a huge impact,” Platt said. “She always taught us to work hard and care about everyone. I would like to follow in her footsteps.”
Platt also credits her high school teachers for always supporting her, even if their classes weren’t necessarily her favorite.
“With Mrs. (Dianne) Kauth, I took her math class last semester and it was a really hard class,” Platt said. “With her motivational teaching, it gave us all the motivation we needed to learn and really do well in that class.”
After Platt had decided on going into elementary education, her next choice was where to go to school. Platt has grown up in Iola and although she had plenty of options to go elsewhere, she saw no reason to leave the town she loves.
Platt will begin her college career at Allen Community College, before eyeing a transfer to Pittsburg State University to finish her schooling.
“I want to take baby steps, before leaving to go to a big university,” Platt said.
After college, there isn’t a doubt in Platt’s mind where she wants to teach. She would like to give back to the area that she feels gave her so much.
“I’d like to move back here and teach close to here if I can,” Platt said.
