It is safe to say that Nevada County's Teacher of the Year, Meghan Salter, knows a thing or two about local education.
After all, she has taught seventh grade for nine years at Union Hill School along Highway 174, where she herself was once a student. Some of her former instructors still teach there.
If that isn't enough to give her an insider's perspective, Salter's mother, Brooke Blake, has taught at Union Hill for the last 16 years.
After attending Union Hill, Salter moved on to Nevada Union High School, where today her father is working his way through his first year as principal after transferring from the same position at Park Avenue Alternative Education Center.
“She really wants (her students) to succeed and she'll do whatever it takes to get them to that level to realize their potential,” said Mike Blake, NU's first-year principal and Salter's father. “She is willing to approach it from a kid's point of view. She really believes in them and that is her strength.”
Beyond her parents, Salter also had an aunt, an uncle and a godparent in education.
“There weren't any misconceptions about what it means to be a teacher,” Salter told The Union. “I grew up understanding that teaching is more than going to work for seven hours and returning home.”
Growing up, it was often just assumed that Salter would be a teacher herself, she said.
“I wanted to be anything but a teacher,” she said, adding that she wanted to distinguish herself from the rest of the family.
But after taking an occupational test during her sophomore year at NU, Salter said she wasn't surprised when the program suggested she had career aptitude for teaching.
Salter said she earnestly geared herself toward teaching because it fit her desire to make a difference in the lives of children. It also helps that he isn't concerned with monetary reward.
Besides, there are other ways to gauge an educator's success. In Salter's case, a panel of judges has named her Nevada County's teacher of the year.
“It's big honor with all the great teachers in the county,” Salter said.
Salter will be recognized, along with six other teachers of the year, chosen by their respective districts, at the annual Association of California School Administrators and Nevada County School Boards Association dinner, this evening at the Miners Foundry Cultural Center in Nevada City.
Salter brings more than a family legacy of education to the classroom.
After graduating from NU, Salter went on get her bachelor's from Dominican University of California, and a master's in education from California State University, Sacramento.
She has studied development of the teenage brain and co-authored an educational website that provides information on how adolescents differ from adults based on brain development.
“Meghan's knowledge in this area provides the foundation for all that she does to help students be successful learners, both in and out of the classroom,” noted Susie Barry, superintendent of Union Hill.
“There is no set path for any student, there are a lot of different ways a student can be successful,” Salter said, repeating a mindset shared by her father.
“I try to model behavior that focuses on respect, caring and integrity,” Salter wrote in an introductory letter as a Teacher of the Year finalist. “A person's character is more valuable than grades because it reflects dedication, determination, work ethic, compassion, and a number of immeasurable qualities.”
News By:
theunion.com
After all, she has taught seventh grade for nine years at Union Hill School along Highway 174, where she herself was once a student. Some of her former instructors still teach there.
If that isn't enough to give her an insider's perspective, Salter's mother, Brooke Blake, has taught at Union Hill for the last 16 years.
After attending Union Hill, Salter moved on to Nevada Union High School, where today her father is working his way through his first year as principal after transferring from the same position at Park Avenue Alternative Education Center.
“She really wants (her students) to succeed and she'll do whatever it takes to get them to that level to realize their potential,” said Mike Blake, NU's first-year principal and Salter's father. “She is willing to approach it from a kid's point of view. She really believes in them and that is her strength.”
Beyond her parents, Salter also had an aunt, an uncle and a godparent in education.
“There weren't any misconceptions about what it means to be a teacher,” Salter told The Union. “I grew up understanding that teaching is more than going to work for seven hours and returning home.”
Growing up, it was often just assumed that Salter would be a teacher herself, she said.
“I wanted to be anything but a teacher,” she said, adding that she wanted to distinguish herself from the rest of the family.
But after taking an occupational test during her sophomore year at NU, Salter said she wasn't surprised when the program suggested she had career aptitude for teaching.
Salter said she earnestly geared herself toward teaching because it fit her desire to make a difference in the lives of children. It also helps that he isn't concerned with monetary reward.
Besides, there are other ways to gauge an educator's success. In Salter's case, a panel of judges has named her Nevada County's teacher of the year.
“It's big honor with all the great teachers in the county,” Salter said.
Salter will be recognized, along with six other teachers of the year, chosen by their respective districts, at the annual Association of California School Administrators and Nevada County School Boards Association dinner, this evening at the Miners Foundry Cultural Center in Nevada City.
Salter brings more than a family legacy of education to the classroom.
After graduating from NU, Salter went on get her bachelor's from Dominican University of California, and a master's in education from California State University, Sacramento.
She has studied development of the teenage brain and co-authored an educational website that provides information on how adolescents differ from adults based on brain development.
“Meghan's knowledge in this area provides the foundation for all that she does to help students be successful learners, both in and out of the classroom,” noted Susie Barry, superintendent of Union Hill.
“There is no set path for any student, there are a lot of different ways a student can be successful,” Salter said, repeating a mindset shared by her father.
“I try to model behavior that focuses on respect, caring and integrity,” Salter wrote in an introductory letter as a Teacher of the Year finalist. “A person's character is more valuable than grades because it reflects dedication, determination, work ethic, compassion, and a number of immeasurable qualities.”
News By:
theunion.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment