Amber Augustus, a fifth grade teacher from the Smyrna School District, is Delaware's State Teacher of the Year for 2012. Augustus teaches math, science and social studies at John Bassett Moore Intermediate School, where she began her teaching career in 2005.
Governor Jack Markell announced Augustus as Delaware's "top teacher" in front of more than 515 invited guests at the Dover Downs Hotel and Conference Center in Dover tonight.
In an earlier endorsement letter to the Teacher of the Year Selection Committee, John Bassett Moore Principal Elyse Baerga described Augustus as a mentor to other teachers, adding, "while Mrs. Augustus is an amazing instructor, her talents lie in her ability to connect with her students by cultivating a learning environment that is warm and welcoming. "This connection fosters a relationship of safety and security in the classroom that inspires her students to engage themselves in the learning process," Baerga said. "Each time you enter her classroom you witness students engaged, participating, sharing and excited about learning."
Stephanie Bowser, a parent of two former students of Augustus, shared similar praise: "I never worried how Cole was doing in school nor [did] I worry about Naomi's progress. Mrs. Augustus demonstrates accountability and high expectations for all of her students.
"Not only is Mrs. Augustus concerned about her students' academic progress, she also has regard for them as individuals," Bowser wrote. "Mrs. Augustus focuses on her students' strengths and talents. While others may see a child as 'challenging,' Mrs. Augustus recognizes the positive aspects of different points of view."
Education was not Augustus' original plan. In 2001, she earned a bachelor's of art in communications with a concentration in interpersonal communication from the University of Delaware, quickly landing a job with an international company.
Augustus was drawn to the profession while watching the careers of her mother- and father-in-law, both educators: "While I was making so much progress professionally with my previous employer, I watched my in-laws do the same except, in my opinion, their job really mattered," she wrote. "I started asking to come to their classrooms. Their days were fast paced and busy, yet what impressed me more was how much fun it was!"
She went back to school, earning a master's in education in elementary studies from Wilmington University in 2005.
That is when she joined the staff at John Bassette Moore, where she has served as lead teacher in social studies since 2005 and as the fifth grade department chair from 2008 to 2011. She also has been the Bank at School coordinator since 2006 and has participated in the Elementary Math Teacher Leadership program led by the University of Delaware since 2010.
Now with a classroom of her own, Augustus works hard to ensure every student feels safe, cared for and supported. "My students do not all need the same type of teacher ... I work hard to create a positive, personal connection with each student and his or her family," she wrote to explain her philosophy of teaching.
"I cannot control the lives of my students outside of my classroom," she said. "However, when they are with me they know they are with an adult who cares about their well-being and success. I encourage them when they are struggling, identify areas in which they can direct their efforts to improve, and celebrate with them when they make progress."
The demanding process of selecting Delaware's Teacher of the Year is designed to find that teacher who is most representative of the entire profession through in-class observations, portfolio reviews and consideration of finalists by a representative panel.
Augustus now inherits from outgoing Teacher of the Year Joseph Masiello the enormous responsibility of representing all teachers in Delaware. She will address community groups, business leaders, legislators, and educational organizations to inform the public about the status of Delaware schools. She also will become Delaware's entrant in the National Teacher of the Year Program, presented by the ING Foundation and a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers.
By action of the General Assembly, Augustus will receive a $5,000 grant to use for the educational benefit of her students, as well two personal grants totaling an additional $5,000. The remaining 19 school district candidates will each receive a personal grant of $2,000.
Augustus also will receive an educational technology package valued at approximately $18,000 from the SMART Technologies, ULC. Additionally, she will receive: a $1,000 grant for educational/classroom use from Pearson; grants from the Delaware State Education Association, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware Professional Standards Board; a State of Delaware Teacher of the Year commemorative plate from the Division of Motor Vehicles; free graduate-level courses from Delaware's higher education institutions, including a full doctorate program from Wilmington University; a gold watch from the Delaware State Teachers of the Year Association and lunch in Washington D.C. with Sen. Tom Carper.
Other organizations that made presentations to the newly-selected Teacher of the Year include: the Delaware Chief School Officers Association; Delaware Association of School Administrators; Delaware School Boards Association; University of Delaware; Delaware State University; Wesley College; Delaware Technical and Community College; and the Future Educators of America.
Augustus' selection as Delaware's top educator makes her the 48th Teacher of the Year since Delaware's recognition program began in 1965. This year's celebration is sponsored in part by ING.
News By:
newarkpostonline.com
Governor Jack Markell announced Augustus as Delaware's "top teacher" in front of more than 515 invited guests at the Dover Downs Hotel and Conference Center in Dover tonight.
In an earlier endorsement letter to the Teacher of the Year Selection Committee, John Bassett Moore Principal Elyse Baerga described Augustus as a mentor to other teachers, adding, "while Mrs. Augustus is an amazing instructor, her talents lie in her ability to connect with her students by cultivating a learning environment that is warm and welcoming. "This connection fosters a relationship of safety and security in the classroom that inspires her students to engage themselves in the learning process," Baerga said. "Each time you enter her classroom you witness students engaged, participating, sharing and excited about learning."
Stephanie Bowser, a parent of two former students of Augustus, shared similar praise: "I never worried how Cole was doing in school nor [did] I worry about Naomi's progress. Mrs. Augustus demonstrates accountability and high expectations for all of her students.
"Not only is Mrs. Augustus concerned about her students' academic progress, she also has regard for them as individuals," Bowser wrote. "Mrs. Augustus focuses on her students' strengths and talents. While others may see a child as 'challenging,' Mrs. Augustus recognizes the positive aspects of different points of view."
Education was not Augustus' original plan. In 2001, she earned a bachelor's of art in communications with a concentration in interpersonal communication from the University of Delaware, quickly landing a job with an international company.
Augustus was drawn to the profession while watching the careers of her mother- and father-in-law, both educators: "While I was making so much progress professionally with my previous employer, I watched my in-laws do the same except, in my opinion, their job really mattered," she wrote. "I started asking to come to their classrooms. Their days were fast paced and busy, yet what impressed me more was how much fun it was!"
She went back to school, earning a master's in education in elementary studies from Wilmington University in 2005.
That is when she joined the staff at John Bassette Moore, where she has served as lead teacher in social studies since 2005 and as the fifth grade department chair from 2008 to 2011. She also has been the Bank at School coordinator since 2006 and has participated in the Elementary Math Teacher Leadership program led by the University of Delaware since 2010.
Now with a classroom of her own, Augustus works hard to ensure every student feels safe, cared for and supported. "My students do not all need the same type of teacher ... I work hard to create a positive, personal connection with each student and his or her family," she wrote to explain her philosophy of teaching.
"I cannot control the lives of my students outside of my classroom," she said. "However, when they are with me they know they are with an adult who cares about their well-being and success. I encourage them when they are struggling, identify areas in which they can direct their efforts to improve, and celebrate with them when they make progress."
The demanding process of selecting Delaware's Teacher of the Year is designed to find that teacher who is most representative of the entire profession through in-class observations, portfolio reviews and consideration of finalists by a representative panel.
Augustus now inherits from outgoing Teacher of the Year Joseph Masiello the enormous responsibility of representing all teachers in Delaware. She will address community groups, business leaders, legislators, and educational organizations to inform the public about the status of Delaware schools. She also will become Delaware's entrant in the National Teacher of the Year Program, presented by the ING Foundation and a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers.
By action of the General Assembly, Augustus will receive a $5,000 grant to use for the educational benefit of her students, as well two personal grants totaling an additional $5,000. The remaining 19 school district candidates will each receive a personal grant of $2,000.
Augustus also will receive an educational technology package valued at approximately $18,000 from the SMART Technologies, ULC. Additionally, she will receive: a $1,000 grant for educational/classroom use from Pearson; grants from the Delaware State Education Association, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware Professional Standards Board; a State of Delaware Teacher of the Year commemorative plate from the Division of Motor Vehicles; free graduate-level courses from Delaware's higher education institutions, including a full doctorate program from Wilmington University; a gold watch from the Delaware State Teachers of the Year Association and lunch in Washington D.C. with Sen. Tom Carper.
Other organizations that made presentations to the newly-selected Teacher of the Year include: the Delaware Chief School Officers Association; Delaware Association of School Administrators; Delaware School Boards Association; University of Delaware; Delaware State University; Wesley College; Delaware Technical and Community College; and the Future Educators of America.
Augustus' selection as Delaware's top educator makes her the 48th Teacher of the Year since Delaware's recognition program began in 1965. This year's celebration is sponsored in part by ING.
News By:
newarkpostonline.com
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