The 2025-2026 CenterPoint Scholars focused on Communication and Connection. They contracted with Kate Elliott, associate lecturer of journalism at Ball State, to conduct a series of $20 interviews called “Twenty Forward.” Each month, Kate puts $20 in the hands of two Muncie residents and then writes about who or what they support with their modest but meaningful investment in our city. Read the project introduction to learn more.
Rooted in love: Mary Kult’s magic kindergarten classroom leads with love
By Kate H. Elliott
Nearly every day, young Mary Kult would climb into a treehouse built into the corner of her kindergarten classroom. She’d sink into a bean bag to eat with the very hungry caterpillar or chant with wild things.
“My kindergarten teacher had a lasting impact on me,” Mary said. “She was kind, caring and fostered my love of books. Because of her, I wanted to become a teacher, to create a classroom that is safe, caring, loving and kind. One where students leave each day feeling loved, fed and cared for, knowing I will be there for them again tomorrow.”
Mary has built that space during the past eight years as a kindergarten teacher at South View Elementary. Muncie Community Schools honored her efforts and selfless energy with the 2024-25 Teacher of the Year for primary grades. MCS Director of Public Education and CEO Chuck Reynolds said Kult is a model educator.
“She loves our kids, and they adore her,” he said. “She is exceptional at classroom management, successfully meeting every student’s individual needs. Her positive attitude is infectious among her colleagues, who also credit her with incredible leadership and family engagement abilities.”
South View Principal Casey Smitherman said, “watching Mary in action is pure magic.”
Mary said each student in her classroom is “there for a reason” and it’s an honor to support them through this foundational year. She leads with love—on their best days, when they light up after grasping a new concept, and on their hardest days, when focus feels just out of reach. No matter the day or situation, she said, her students know they are safe, valued and free to be themselves.
“The relationships I have built over the years matter most to me,” said Mary, who graduated from Ball State with a bachelor’s in early childhood education and a master’s in education, with a focus on literacy and reading. “It’s so fun to have relationships with students across all grade levels. To have fifth-grade students come to my classroom door to say, ‘good morning’ is one of the best moments of my day.”
It is because of those deep bonds that she knows many of her students attend the Boys and Girls Clubs of Muncie, either after school, on weekends or during the summer. Mary said she will give her $20 to the nonprofit, which provides a safe and enriching environment for hundreds of young people in Delaware County.
“The Boys and Girls Clubs of Muncie has a direct impact on the students I work with each day. They offer after school care, homework help and summer programs, and my students make close friendships with their peers and the adults who work there,” said Mary, who is from Bloomington, Indiana. “The organization provides kids of all ages with fun, engaging opportunities, and families trust the organization and want to send their kids there.”
Mary was particularly impressed when the Boys and Girls Clubs of Muncie began sending a representative to recess at South View. Each day, the person leads students in structured group activities to help curb any unwanted behavior that can emerge during free play, she explained.
“I hope this inspires others to invest in their after school and summer programming,” she said. “So many local kids go there throughout the year, and it impacts so many local families in a positive way.”
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Muncie, Mary said, shares her vision to educate and support students but to also equip them with the tools and outlook necessary to be productive and engaged citizens.
“I teach to make a difference in the lives of kids, and then I hope they carry their knowledge, friendships and lessons learned into adulthood, as they become contributing members of our community and inspire the next generation.”
To learn more about the Boys and Girls Clubs of Muncie, go to https://bgcmuncie.org/.
Thank you to Muncie Action Plan and CenterPoint Scholars for supporting these small but meaningful investments in community.
