By AMY ADAMS
news@readthereporter.com
Going into his fourth year teaching third grade, Nathaniel Truitt invited all his past students from Hinkle Creek Elementary School and their families to join him last week for a reunion in the recreational space behind the school.
This unique “class family” focus exemplifies why Truitt received WISH-TV’s Grand Finale Golden Apple Award in June.
“The reunion is my favorite thing,” he said. “I do believe that family is forever.”
Class 8 students Conner Castillo and Olivia Guest enjoy Mr. Truitt’s class setup. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)
Truitt makes that clear to students and families from the moment they walk into his classroom.
Instead of desks, five or six dining sets provide student seating. In one corner, the words “Our Family Room” welcome students to lounge on a large sectional sofa. Above the sofa, Truitt adds photos of students throughout the year, not all of them from the classroom, as he attends many extracurricular activities as well. By the last day of school, there will be barely enough room for another frame.
Coming out of second grade last spring, Conner Castillo hoped to be in Truitt’s class. At that time, he was the same age Truitt was when he realized he wanted to be a teacher.
A native Hoosier, Truitt earned his Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Marian University along with a certification in teaching English Language Learners (ELL). Prior to coming to Noblesville Schools, he taught second grade at Traders Point Christian School in Whitestown and ELL in Avon.
When interviewing for positions, Truitt was transparent about his classroom plans. In fact, he turned down jobs that didn’t seem to fit his nontraditional approach.
This sign welcomes students into Mr. Truitt’s classroom. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)
For Truitt, a cozy classroom holds a deeper meaning.
Years ago, he read about the dangers of youth not feeling connected, not being able to identify their own strengths, and not recognizing the opportunity to impact others.
“That really changed my life,” Truitt said.
To help them feel connected, students in his 2023-24 class will have T-shirts that read, “Mr. Truitt’s Ninth Class Family.”
In addition, students who hold classroom jobs have staff shirts bearing the class crest, a capital T with a crown and laurel wreath signifying leadership and learning. Each quarter, students can apply and interview for elected and appointed positions like greeter and librarian.
Mr. Truitt’s latest class family T-shirt. (Photo provided by Nathaniel Truitt)
“I want all of the jobs to actually be duties and responsibilities that I am entrusting to them,” Truitt said. “I believe in empowering the kids to make decisions.”
As student representative, Makalyn Davis budgeted for parties. As supply manager, Olivia Guest selected material to make more accessible in the classroom.
“He puts a lot of trust in us,” Castillo said.
Truitt and his students talk about the fact that they won’t always get positions they want.
“That’s not failure,” Truitt said. “That’s life. The test of character is how you respond. How do you learn and move on?”
As the only third graders at Hinkle Creek to partner with kindergarteners as Book Buddies, Truitt’s students learn leadership skills and are well aware that the students they support may one day be part of their class family.
“The idea of family has to go deeper than just being nice,” Truitt said. “It is how we handle conflict – how we help each other.”
At the end of the school year, Truitt hosts a celebration dinner for all the current families where he gives each student one last gift.
Addy Petker and Olivia Guest play cornhole on a set that student representatives gave Mr. Truitt with one of the class mottos: “Do the right thing.” (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)
“I choose a word that is an attribute of who they are that contributed to the family,” Truitt said.
Truitt places the words, like “trustworthy” or “loyal,” by each student’s picture in his class family photo album. Students love to flip through the pages, seeing the faces of those Truitt has taught in years past and reading what makes each one special.
“I want them to feel like they are part of something bigger, something that lasts for longer than one year,” Truitt said.
The summer reunions reinforce that connection to past as well as future classes. Truitt asks students and parents to write encouraging notes to those who will be in his coming class.
In turn, students in the 2023-24 class will write notes to students from Class 6, Truitt’s first class at Hinkle Creek, who will be in sixth grade. At the end of the school year, Class 9 will make posters and cheer for those sixth graders by name as they are clapped out on their last day of elementary school.
“Even though we were in his class during COVID and had to have desks that were separated, he still made it feel like family,” said Class 6 student Reagan Mann.
Students echo certain words when describing Mr. Truitt: “kind” and “caring.”
“He thinks of others before himself,” said Class 6 student Aria Miller.
Parents also echo words describing Truitt: “amazing” and “phenomenal.”
“He puts his heart and soul into it,” said Chad Guest. “He goes that extra mile.”
Mr. Truitt looks through the class family photo album with two of his most recent students, Conner Castillo and Oliva Guest. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)
Chad Guest is the athletic director for Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate and Junior High School in Fishers. His wife Lindsay teaches wellness at West Clay Elementary in Carmel.
“I’ve taught for 20 years, and there is just no one like him,” Lindsay said. “Everything he says and does, when he speaks and teaches, he is just so moving.”
The Guests agree with their daughter Olivia who said, “The way he treats others has taught me to strive to do better.”
Olivia feels well-prepared for fourth grade.
Mother to Olivia’s classmate Evie, Jacquie Carson teaches AP English at Hamilton Southeastern High School.
“Mr. Truitt doesn’t sacrifice content, but it’s not just about the content,” Carson said. “He is one of the gifted ones that has the ability to reach kids. He makes those relationships.”
And relationships make all the difference. Truitt not only prepares his students for the next grade level, he prepares them for life.
Families from Mr. Truitt’s last three classes hang out at the reunion. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)
This sign welcomed past students and families to the reunion. (Photo provided by Nathaniel Truitt)