Chrissie Eshenbaugh, a speech/language pathologist at Huber Ridge Elementary, Andrea Heilman, a third-grade teacher at Hawthorne Elementary and Tammy Waterstreet, a first-grade teacher at Wilder Elementary, have been named Westerville Education Foundation’s (WEF) March Teachers of the Month.
WEF Executive Director Colleen Moidu, WEF Board Member and Chair of the Teacher of the Month program Rebecca Chesnic and other administrators and teachers surprised recipients with the news on Wednesday.
Nomination letters for each recipient featured glowing praise:
Eshenbaugh: “She works tirelessly to serve our students and be a resource for our staff. I see her running her IEP meetings with thoughtfulness for the family and the student. I see her giving ‘elbow bumps’ and smiles to students she doesn't even know. I see her working hard and know there is not enough time in her day to get it all done. I see her carrying stacks of paperwork home to make sure the IEPs are done and serving the kids in the best way possible… She is in a meeting almost every day and does so with a smile. I see all of it and I understand why she does it. She cares so much for these children and wants them to have the best future.”
Heilman: “She often engages socially with my child outside of normal instruction which puts him at ease and fosters a great learning relationship with him as well as other students. She has an outstanding and positive attitude.”
Tombaugh: “My children have felt so much warmth and love from her. She takes the time to get to know her students and their families… My children have shared all the fun amazing things she does in her classroom while still managing the districtwide curricula and implementing small group, differentiated instruction.”
Waterstreet: “She takes the time to get to know students on a personal level, helps them feel successful and safe while at school, and makes learning so fun, the students don't even realize they are learning.”
WEF recognizes teachers who have made an impact on their students, peers and school community. Sponsored by the Education First Credit Union, the Teacher of the Month program provides winners with $100 for their classroom funds.
To learn more about this month’s award winners and the Teacher of the Month program, visit the Westerville Education Foundation’s website.