WASCO CO. — Two local teachers, Amy Huffman, and Sara Anderson, have been honored as Regional Teachers of the Year, and are candidates for the Oregon Teacher of the Year award. The candidates for Teacher of the year are, “exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled licensed public school educators in grades pre-K-12,” according to the press release. Each Regional Teacher of the Year receives a $1,000 cash prize. This is an award that the Oregon Department of Education gives out each year in conjunction with the Oregon Lottery.
Huffman taught in the local area her whole career, currently teaching preschool at Little Explorers Preschool in Wasco. A colleague noted her nomination. “She has prioritized making sure children and family needs are met and making sure there is always an open line of communication between families and her assistant teachers,” Huffman explained in her nomination. “Not only do I feel that it is important for my students to make connections to themselves with our classroom literacy, but I also want their families to feel that connection as well.”
Anderson was nominated by a colleague who noted, “Sarah Anderson is an exceptional educator who brings creativity and dedication to her social studies classroom. She consistently thinks outside the box to make learning engaging, relevant, and meaningful for her students. Sarah enhances her instruction by incorporating current events and relevant articles into her lessons, ensuring students connect historical concepts with modern issues. She fosters critical thinking and communication skills through dynamic group discussions, encouraging students to analyze multiple perspectives and engage in thoughtful debate.”
“At Dufur School, she is recognized for her dedication to student success, her creative lesson plans, and her ability to make historical and literary concepts relatable and meaningful,” Principal Kristin Whitley added. “Sarah prioritizes culturally responsive teaching, ensuring that all students feel included and represented in her lessons. She also excels in encouraging students to take ownership of their learning, whether through Socratic seminars, thematic research projects, or interdisciplinary activities.” In her nomination, Anderson noted, “Teenagers are full of opinions, and I help them translate those opinions into civic involvement and writing proficiency.”
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