Elisabeth Christeson is the elementary school nurse at Conlee Elementary School. She has taught there for two years. Previously, she taught for eight years at Jornada Elementary, three years University Hills Elementary and worked for four years with Childbirth Education. She has experience in intensive care units and emergency rooms in Montana, Washington and New Mexico. She earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Northern Colorado and a master's in nursing from New Mexico State University.

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: For many years we have been in baseball and in-line hockey with our children. Proud parent supporter for Onate Royal Knight Regiment for many years. Involved in Jazzercise. Taking walks, cooking and baking, reading, listening to music, watching movies and just relaxing.

Q: Who do you admire, professionally or personally?

A: My heros are the teachers who surround me every day. They have a classroom full of children who learn to read and write and do math and think for themselves how to solve problems. They are amazing, and what they do is amazing. School nurses are an integral part of the education team to be sure we have healthy learners.

Q: What is your philosophy as a teacher?

A: In my health teaching with children, I try to make the information relevant to their lives right now, and teach why it's so important to take good care of their bodies to stay healthy. In my nurse's office, I don't just take

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care of their problems for them; I teach them how to take care of themselves. Together, we think what might make them feel better and the best way to take care of an injury. This may be for a stomachache or a scraped knee. Teaching self-care is an important part of what I do.

Q: What has been your proudest moment as a teacher?

A: I have proudest moments every year as my fifth-graders have their final celebration before they go to middle school. Then I realize how proud I am of all these children as they grow in body and mind, and get ready to move to the next grade. I realize frequently that these children are our most precious resource and we will be depending on them to care for us one day as they grow into responsible members of society.