To read the supporting statements for my nomination, click below:
Supporting statement - colleague Supporting statement - parent Supporting statements - current/former students |
Oakland County Outstanding Elementary Teacher of the Year - 2015
In the spring of 2015, I was awarded Oakland County Outstanding Elementary Teacher of the Year. I was humbled and proud to be receive such an incredible award. Every year Oakland County presents this award to an elementary, middle, and high school teacher who has achieved, through their effort and example, the highest standards of excellence in their profession. Categories that nominees were evaluated on include:
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Excellence in Education (2nd place) - 2014
In the spring of 2014, Dolsen Elementary's "Taking Care of Others" initiative won 2nd place in Oakland County's Excellence in Education recognition program. I founded the Dolsen Helping Hands Club in 2012-2013 with the idea to give students an opportunity to spread the message of taking care of others. In 2013-2014, the Helping Hands Club made up of about 25 fourth graders and I sponsored a school-wide initiative called “Taking Care of Others.” This message ties directly into Dolsen’s school rules of “We take care of ourselves. We take care of each other. We take care of our school. We are ready to learn!” The initiative included several components. The first component helped students develop empathy, compassion, and acceptance for others through literature. Approximately 40 books were purchased for the staff to read aloud to students. The books have strong themes of compassion, empathy, and acceptance. Classrooms took a pledge to “choose kind” inspired by R.J. Palacio’s book, Wonder, and posted the pledge on their doors as a daily reminder. Secondly, the Helping Hands Club purchased wristbands with the message “Taking care of others…by choosing kind.” When teachers noticed a student being kind to others, they are awarded one of the wristbands with a certificate. In addition, every month students wrote about how they “take care of others” through Art Costa’s Habits of Mind, such as “While taking care of others, I managed my impulsivity by…” Lastly, the initiative also had a component for staff. Kindness thank-you cards were provided so when someone in the building does something kind, they can drop a note of appreciation on their desk! The “Taking Care of Others” message spread rapidly and has created energy and enthusiasm and has continued to this day. Kindness is contagious!
In the spring of 2014, Dolsen Elementary's "Taking Care of Others" initiative won 2nd place in Oakland County's Excellence in Education recognition program. I founded the Dolsen Helping Hands Club in 2012-2013 with the idea to give students an opportunity to spread the message of taking care of others. In 2013-2014, the Helping Hands Club made up of about 25 fourth graders and I sponsored a school-wide initiative called “Taking Care of Others.” This message ties directly into Dolsen’s school rules of “We take care of ourselves. We take care of each other. We take care of our school. We are ready to learn!” The initiative included several components. The first component helped students develop empathy, compassion, and acceptance for others through literature. Approximately 40 books were purchased for the staff to read aloud to students. The books have strong themes of compassion, empathy, and acceptance. Classrooms took a pledge to “choose kind” inspired by R.J. Palacio’s book, Wonder, and posted the pledge on their doors as a daily reminder. Secondly, the Helping Hands Club purchased wristbands with the message “Taking care of others…by choosing kind.” When teachers noticed a student being kind to others, they are awarded one of the wristbands with a certificate. In addition, every month students wrote about how they “take care of others” through Art Costa’s Habits of Mind, such as “While taking care of others, I managed my impulsivity by…” Lastly, the initiative also had a component for staff. Kindness thank-you cards were provided so when someone in the building does something kind, they can drop a note of appreciation on their desk! The “Taking Care of Others” message spread rapidly and has created energy and enthusiasm and has continued to this day. Kindness is contagious!
EMU College of Education - Dean's Award for Student Teaching - 2010
In the spring of 2010, I was awarded the Dean's Award for Student Teaching. This was truly the highlight of my school journey! Many thanks to my university supervisor and to the many EMU professors who mentored me along the way!
Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics - Miriam Schaefer Scholarship Recipient - 2009
During the summer of 2009, I was one of five future teachers to be selected in the state of Michigan to be generously awarded a $1,500 scholarship by the Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
EMU - Dr. Everett L. Marshall Scholarship - 2009
During the spring of 2009, I was awarded the Dr. Everett L. Marshall Scholarship by the Department of Teacher Education at Eastern Michigan University for outstanding achievement in academics.
Detroit Area Council of Teachers of Mathematics - Scholarship Recipient - 2009
During the spring of 2009, I was generously awarded a $1,000 scholarship by the Detroit Area Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
EMU Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Elementary Mathematics Education - 2009
During the spring of 2009, I had the distinct honor of being awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Elementary Mathematics Education by Eastern Michigan University. Without the outstanding leadership, instruction, and support from EMU professors, Dr. Joan Jones, Dr. Carla Tayeh, and Dr. Barbara Leapard, I would never have received this award.
EMU Outstanding Supplemental Instruction Leader - 2006
During the fall of 2005, I was given the honor by Dr. Bonnie Wylo, professor of physics at Eastern Michigan University to lead supplemental instruction for her class, physics for elementary teachers. Subsequently, I was nominated by my professor and awarded by EMU at its Sixth Annual Faculty and Tutor Appreciation Day in April 2006 - Outstanding Supplemental Instruction Leader . This was an incredible privilege and honor for me.
In the spring of 2010, I was awarded the Dean's Award for Student Teaching. This was truly the highlight of my school journey! Many thanks to my university supervisor and to the many EMU professors who mentored me along the way!
Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics - Miriam Schaefer Scholarship Recipient - 2009
During the summer of 2009, I was one of five future teachers to be selected in the state of Michigan to be generously awarded a $1,500 scholarship by the Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
EMU - Dr. Everett L. Marshall Scholarship - 2009
During the spring of 2009, I was awarded the Dr. Everett L. Marshall Scholarship by the Department of Teacher Education at Eastern Michigan University for outstanding achievement in academics.
Detroit Area Council of Teachers of Mathematics - Scholarship Recipient - 2009
During the spring of 2009, I was generously awarded a $1,000 scholarship by the Detroit Area Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
EMU Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Elementary Mathematics Education - 2009
During the spring of 2009, I had the distinct honor of being awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Elementary Mathematics Education by Eastern Michigan University. Without the outstanding leadership, instruction, and support from EMU professors, Dr. Joan Jones, Dr. Carla Tayeh, and Dr. Barbara Leapard, I would never have received this award.
EMU Outstanding Supplemental Instruction Leader - 2006
During the fall of 2005, I was given the honor by Dr. Bonnie Wylo, professor of physics at Eastern Michigan University to lead supplemental instruction for her class, physics for elementary teachers. Subsequently, I was nominated by my professor and awarded by EMU at its Sixth Annual Faculty and Tutor Appreciation Day in April 2006 - Outstanding Supplemental Instruction Leader . This was an incredible privilege and honor for me.