Editor’s Note: The following is the first installment of a monthly series on Fayette County educators selected by school district officials for their work and dedication to education.

SMITHFIELD – “5, 4, put your hands on your lap, and tell me you’re ready, please, 3, 2, 1,” Toby Maykuth begins a section on identifying, piping, and writing letters He told his 29 students the alphabet before beginning the course.

The Kindergarten teachers at Smithfield Elementary in the Albert Gallatin School District work daily with the school’s youngest students and are passionate about imparting some early education experiences and fundamentals to children so they can progress through the school system.

For her commitment to educating and enriching the lives of young students, Maykuth was selected by Albert Gallatin Officers as a Herald-Standard Outstanding Educator for the region in January 2016.

“I really enjoyed the ‘Aha!’ moment, watching them learn,” said 17-year-old Maykuth. “Every time I see a student do something on their own for the first time, it’s an amazing experience and I’m lucky enough to see it.”

Maykuth is the principal of Smithfield Primary School, taking over from principal Candice Jordon, who also serves as the primary school principal for the district in Jordon’s absence.

“He has a great relationship with every student in the building,” Jordan said of Mekus. “The kids respected him. He taught them to take responsibility for their actions. He taught them to make good decisions.”

Maykuth began his teaching career at Masontown Elementary School in Kindergarten, followed by George J. Plava Elementary School in 1st grade and later 5th grade. After teaching sixth grade for a year at Albert Gallatin North Middle, Maykuth returned to kindergarten, this time at Smithfield, where he taught for 13 years.

“Moving felt good at first. In some places, I did feel more comfortable. I found that I had a similar attention span (to a kindergartener).

“I know when I’m tired of [a class], I know they are,” he said.

Much of Maykuth’s teaching is interactive, allowing students to walk around the classroom or answer questions while he points to displays on the wall and takes time to correct wrong answers or congratulate correct ones.

“We try to move a lot. Just pique their interest, keep the lesson going, and ask them questions. When one student gets excited, other students usually follow suit,” he said.

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