Where Growth Is Personal
In Gentry Pilant’s third-grade classroom at Westside Elementary, success isn’t defined by a single moment; it’s built over time.
It’s in the student who finally understands a concept after multiple tries.
The one who gains confidence enough to raise their hand.
The one who begins to believe, maybe for the first time, “I can do this.”
Because in Gentry’s classroom, growth is personal.
“I believe and know that all students can learn,” she shares, a philosophy that anchors everything she does.
But for Gentry, that belief goes beyond academics. It’s about helping students grow as learners and as people.
A Calling Discovered Through Experience
Gentry Pilant’s journey into teaching didn’t begin with a traditional path. It began right here in Claremore Public Schools as a paraprofessional.
In that role, she worked alongside students, supported their learning, and experienced the daily impact teachers have on young lives. It was in those moments, small interactions, quiet victories, and the relationships built day by day, that something shifted.
What started as a position became a purpose.
That experience inspired her to pursue her teaching degree, setting her on a path that would eventually lead her to her own classroom at Westside Elementary. And today, that perspective still shapes her work.
She understands the importance of meeting students where they are, because she has supported them from every angle.
Teaching the Whole Child
Gentry approaches teaching with a deep understanding that no two students learn the same way.
In her classroom, lessons are not static. They evolve.
She continuously monitors student progress, adjusts instruction, and creates opportunities for students to succeed at their own pace. Whether through small group instruction, targeted interventions, or differentiated learning strategies, she ensures every student has the support they need.
But just as important as academic growth is the environment she creates.
Her classroom is built on encouragement, empathy, and accountability. Students learn to support one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and understand that learning is a journey, not a race.
She holds high expectations, but balances them with grace, recognizing that students are still learning, growing, and discovering who they are.
A Leader Among Colleagues
Gentry’s impact extends far beyond her classroom walls.
She is an active leader within her school, serving on her site’s guiding coalition team and collaborating with colleagues to improve instruction and student outcomes. Through this work, she has helped develop systems to track student growth and support effective teaching practices across grade levels.
She also serves as a mentor to new teachers and college interns, helping guide the next generation of educators as they begin their careers.
For Gentry, teaching is not an individual effort; it’s a shared responsibility. She believes that when educators support one another, students benefit.
Rooted in Community
Gentry’s connection to Claremore runs deep.
After moving to Claremore, she quickly found a sense of belonging in the community, both personally and professionally. Through her work in the classroom and her involvement in school activities, she has become an integral part of the Westside community.
That connection is reflected in her classroom, where students feel supported and valued.
The Moments That Matter
Despite being named Westside Elementary’s Teacher of the Year, Gentry remains grounded in what matters most.
The small moments.
A student mastering a new skill.
A child encouraging a classmate.
A moment of pride when growth becomes visible.
For Gentry, those are the true markers of success.
“Students need to know that they can and will learn,” she says, a belief she instills in her classroom every single day.
And because of her, they do.
Watch her story here: