Introducing Edmentum’s 2019 Educators of the Year
Introducing Edmentum’s 2019 Educators of the Year
We’re celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week by honoring some superstar educators! Earlier this spring, we asked our customers to tell their own success stories or nominate fellow educators who are making an impact on the lives of students. Now, it's time to announce the winners of our fourth annual Edmentum Educator of the Year Awards!
One grand-prize winner, our 2019 Educator of the Year, was selected to receive a free trip to this year’s ISTE conference in Philadelphia, as well as a $100 Amazon gift card.
Steve Clark, Resource Specialist Teacher at Ortega High School – Lake Elsinore, CA
“Steve does wonders to bring all aspects of technology into the classrooms at Ortega High School. He made it a personal mission to help make math content accessible to students that otherwise would be unprepared for Algebra I and higher math courses. Students are having success with math, in many cases, for the first time in years, and it is due to his steadfast commitment to student learning. Every time I'm on campus, I see Mr. Clark working. It seems he has a working knowledge of every student and their progress, celebrating or reminding the students every time he sees them to do their best. He is a fantastic educator.”
—Ryan Mulvanny, Director of Instructional Technology at Keith McCarthy Academy - Lake Elsinore, CA
Additionally, we recognized three inspirational educators, who all received $100 Amazon gift cards.
Bernell Jones, Math Teacher at White Station Middle School – Memphis, TN
“One of the things that inspires me at the end of the year is that when I get a note from the student and it will say, ‘When I first came to your class, I didn't like math,’ or ‘Math was challenging,’ ‘Math was tough,’ or ‘It was no fun.’ And, at the end of the year, they enjoy math; they've had fun and they've enjoyed it. Plus, they've also learned. If they can end the school year looking at math, not as an enemy, but as a friend and liking it and saying that they've learned a lot, then I'm happy. I think I've done my job.”
—Mr. Jones
“Mr. Ashley is always striving to make himself a better teacher, his students’ better learners, and his peers more comfortable utilizing technology in their classrooms. Using computer programs has never been an issue with him. He has embraced great programs like Study Island to help his students better master the standards that he has taught them. His state test scores are impeccable. Year after year, 100% of students in his class show a learning gain. There have been few years where this didn’t happen, only to find that 90% or above have shown gains.”
—Grace Ashley, Assistant Principal at Lake Panasoffkee Elementary
Debra Weiler, 6th Grade Teacher at New Palestine Intermediate School – New Palestine, IN
“This is my 22nd year of teaching. My husband of 32 years was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis nine months after our wedding. Within five years, his health declined and forced him into disability retirement. Throughout the last 32 years, I have had to be a single parent of three children, nurse, caregiver, counselor, and foremost, a devoted wife. Going to work is my personal therapy. My classroom allows me to devote my passion and talents to my students. I always ask my students, ‘Who owns their grades and their data?’ Their response is, ‘THEM!’ So, I always respond with, ‘Who is their number-one supporter and cheerleader?’ My response is, ‘ME!’”
—Mrs. Weiler
We want to send out a big thank you to everyone who took the time to submit a nomination for this year’s Edmentum Educator of the Year Award—we were blown away by the positive response! Be on the lookout in the coming weeks for feature blog posts on each one of our phenomenal winners, and take a minute to meet last year’s winners here!
Teacher Appreciation Month is upon us, and at Edmentum, we love celebrating educators. We want to thank you for the hard work, dedication, and passion you pour into your schools and classrooms day after day. To celebrate, we’re giving away a $500 Target gift card to one lucky educator. Enter today!
