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By Natalie Fitts

The Dart asked students and teachers during lunch/activity through a poll on January 24 who they think the most influential woman in the STA community has been this past year and why. For reasons ranging from dedication to students to passion for progress, STA nominated 25 different women for the honor. The Dart sat down with four of the top vote-getting women to talk about how they think they are influencing the STA community and how they want to continue to do so in the future.

Ms. Tyler Stewart
Job: Speech/debate teacher
Years at STA: 1
Reason for being a Woman of the Year: ability to help students come out of their shells
On reason for becoming a speech teacher: “I’m a feminist. I really want to encourage the young women at St. Teresa’s to have the strongest and most competitive voice that they can. I have a deep love for all of my students, and I just want them to be incredible.”
On students’ impact on her: “I’m really hard on myself as a teacher. I’m constantly focusing on the things I need to do better. I don’t ever really give myself a break, so when I have students coming in saying thank you, it’s a really wonderful feeling. It’s not something that I expect ever, and I don’t know that I’ll ever get used to it.”
On goals for the future: “I hope we can have a liaison with UMKC speech and debate. I want to build a super strong debate program. I want to have an awesome speech contest that has a scholarship attached to it so that the winner of the contest can get money to go to school.”
Quote from sophomore Abby Dearth: “She is her own person. Her teaching style is really different and sometimes really confusing, but it challenges you to think in a different way and see people around you with a new perspective. She has so much insight about basically everything and she is so easy to talk to.”

Ms. Nan Bone
Job: President of STA
Years at STA: 5
Reason for being a Woman of the Year: spearheading construction Chapel of St. Joseph and the Windmoor Center and track and field
On how the ideas for the construction projects began: “It came about through some strategic planning. From all the surveys and interviews [of teachers, parents, students and alumnae], we received feedback that we needed to increase the technology. At the same time, we wanted a larger space for worship. It was kind of a little dream that kept growing.”
On how students’ attitudes influenced projects: “The students here really model that ‘can do’ attitude. We can figure it out. We’re St. Teresa’s Academy. Because of that, we just focused on raising money and making it happen.”
On overall effect of Chapel of St. Joseph and Windmoor Center: “I think it has so much potential, I don’t even know where to start. I think we’ll be overwhelmed with the possibilities, but that’s a good thing. [The new buildings] say to the greater community that we are the premiere all-girls high school in the Kansas City area. We have history, wonderfully gifted and caring young women and great educators. Now we have the beautiful facilities to match that.”
On being voted one of STA’s most influential women on the year: “I’m just one person on a wonderful team that helped us create such an awesome campus. Even though I’m getting this award, it should really go to the board members and all the people that had that same vision [of the building of the chapel]. I’m just so excited. This will be my favorite award I’ve ever received.”
Quote from Executive Director of Development Mary Beth Compton: “Ms. Bone dedicates herself to the pursuit of excellence on behalf of the students of St. Teresa’s Academy.  She has the vision and courage to take on projects that will benefit the students and the school, and in doing so carries on the legacy of our founders and sponsors, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.  This year in particular Mrs. Bone’s influence can be very clearly seen in the opening of the Windmoor Center and the new track and field facility.”

Ms. Kim Sirridge
Job: Algebra/geometry teacher
Years at STA: 1
Reason for being a Woman of the Year: sense of humor and encouraging outlook
On why she thinks she was voted one of the most influential women in the STA community: “Probably because I’m new.  New people you probably think of first. Maybe because I like to French braid.”
On being a teacher: “I’m really sensitive to being the type of person that I would want to have as a teacher since I’m so close to being a student. I’ve been a high school student in the last 15 years so I know what affects me when I’m interacting with teachers. I try to be what I would want in a teacher as a student.”
On teaching style: “I just do what comes naturally to me. As I go along, I realize things I can do better. I get input from other people on things I can do better.”
On classroom decor: “[My room] looks a lot like my dorm room did 10 years ago. I just like color a lot. I think [my decorations] make me feel happier, and I hope [they] makes other people happy too.”
On favorite aspect of STA: “So many people do so many things so well here. I don’t just know a student in my class. I also know that she’s on the soccer team and in the praise band. I know [my students] as well-rounded individuals.”
Quote from sophomore Mattie O’Boyle: “[Ms. Sirridge] teaches her math classes in a way in which we can relate and have fun. Usually when I think of any math class, I automatically have a bad attitude about it. I have dreaded [math] all through grade school and even into my freshman year here at STA. When I got to Ms. Sirridge’s class this year, I knew my attitude would be different. I actually look forward to geometry now.”

Ms. Jo Weller
Job: Pre-calculus/calculus teacher
Years at STA: 12
Reason for being a Woman of the Year: dedication to math and students
On deciding to become a math teacher: “Someone once told me that if you’re going to be doing something for the rest of your life, it needs to be something you love. When I really thought about it, what I really love is math and teaching math. I love math and I love to teach so this is the perfect job.”
On instilling passion for math in her students: “I try to be very respectful of my students. I know that not everyone is going to love math the way I do. My main thing is helping them keep their options open, and I think a math background helps [them] do that.”
On her teaching method: “I really try to break math down into parts that all of my students can understand. My job is to make math manageable. I try to be able to explain things in multiple ways because I don’t think one method works for every student out there.”
On hope for students: “One thing I wish is that my students have a bit more confidence. I think that the students here at St. Teresa’s just have such amazing abilities, and I don’t think they’re quite aware of that sometimes. I want them to have the confidence level to try something, even if it’s not in their comfort zone.”
On impact of students on her: “They always make me want to do better. I always want to do a better job for them.”
On favorite aspect of STA: “The students. I think there are a lot of great qualities about STA, but it’s the students that make me sign that contract every year. They’re honestly just fun. I really enjoy working with the girls at St. Teresa’s.”
Quote from senior Grace Crowe: “Coming into [Ms. Weller’s] class sophomore year, I knew I was good at math and liked it, but by the end I knew that I really loved the subject. This year I have learned that I want to spend my career in math as well. She has shown me that it is okay to like math and given me an example of how to put that love to good use.”