Stacie Schrader has been teaching at Beechwood Elementary School for 16 years, but this August will be her first time to start the year without a classroom.

Schrader accepted the lead teacher position, so she will now be spending her time helping and serving teachers become more efficient.

“I’m excited to be the lead teacher and a support and a resource,” she said. “I really love this school, and I’m very passionate about this school, so I wanted to move into more of a leadership role.”

Schrader has taught every grade at the school except for kindergarten, and she has taught art for three years.

“I really know the curriculum well,” she said. “I like it referred to more as instructional coach. I really want the teachers to use me as a resource tool.”

Schrader said she plans to go in and help teachers model lessons and find them new activities when they’re stuck on a certain skill.

“I think coming from the art classroom will really help me with that,” she said. “I look at skills now, and I try to find art activities that help with the skills they’re learning in the classroom. I’m pretty familiar with all the skills that every grade teaches here.”

The move to lead teacher was inspired by Schrader’s love for change and challenge, she said.

“The longest I ever taught a grade was six years, and that was first grade,” she said. “I got to where I was in a rut. I knew what I was doing, and I needed more of a challenge.”

Schrader has been moving around to different positions since then.

“When you’re challenged, you’re learning the new material to teach them, and there’s a little excitement that comes back out,” she said.

Schrader said the new position will require her to work more closely with other teachers and administration, which she enjoys.

“I think the most important part about being lead teacher is the teachers have to trust you,” she said. “You have to have some credibility with them and the administration.”

Schrader said she’s always loved working with children, too.

“I’ve always wanted to work with children,” she said. “I’m very passionate about education and our school. I really want to see us grow.”

Schrader has served as the Science Fair coordinator for seven years, co-chairman for Positive Behavior Instructional Strategies for three years, co-chairman of the Christmas float for 10 years, on the Teachers Support Team for six years and on the Lighthouse Team.

When Schrader is away from Beechwood, she enjoys spending time with her children, Wyatt, 11, and Laney, 9, and her husband, Philip.

“I also volunteer as much as I can,” she said. “I’m a member of the Vicksburg Art Association, I do some acting at Westside Theater Foundation and I volunteer with Kids on the Rock at Crossway Church.”