Left: Teacher of the Month Angela Faust is pictured with WEF Executive Director Colleen Moidu. Center: Moidu, Teacher of the Month Jeffrey Murdock and Blendon Middle School Principal Kendall Harris. Right: Westerville South Principal Mike Starner, Teacher of the Month Bill Heinmiller and Moidu.
The Westerville Education Foundation (WEF) named three educators Teacher of the Month for March – Angela Faust, Whittier Elementary School; Jeffrey Murdock, Blendon Middle School; and Bill Heinmiller, Westerville South High School.
Angela Faust is described by her nominator as a teacher who thinks outside the box and uses teaching methods that draw the children in and help them to grasp concepts quickly. When her nominator’s family was new to the area, she welcomed them with open arms. “Mrs. Faust has gone above and beyond making our family feel welcome.” Additionally, she works to ensure that students are succeeding even when they cannot be in class (when her son caught a stomach virus.) “She helped make a scary season in my child’s life less stressful and she always checked in on him, even calling me to see how he was.” Mrs. Faust inspires her students’ love of reading, takes innovative approaches to reinforcing lessons, and creates unique math games that are so much fun, they don’t even realize how much they are learning. “Her methods are ones that make learning applicable to everyday life and help the children to learn concepts while living, doing and being great!”
Jeffrey Murdock is described by his nominator as inspirational and supportive. “Mr. Murdock makes the lessons fun and is very easy to talk to if you have questions.” He has inspired his students to be brave and to be the best that they can be, even when faced with challenging curriculum. His frequent communication and quick responses to questions help to put his students at ease. “We very much appreciate the clear and speedy communication that we receive.” Science has typically been his nominator’s daughter’s least favorite subject. However, with Mr. Murdock at the helm, “she looks forward to science every day.”
Bill Heinmiller is described by his nominator as someone who constantly looks for ways to build students up and to support them as individuals. “He treats students, staff and parents with respect and dignity. He goes above and beyond to patiently help everyone no matter how busy his day may be.” Mr. Heinmiller is also described as a morale builder. He works with students to explore their emotional IQ to help them match emotional reactions to situations. “He is always conscious of what his own feelings might be and models how to be aware and validate one’s own feelings without diminishing different points of view or a different perspective.”
The Westerville Education Foundation’s Teacher of the Month Program is sponsored by Education First Credit Union and ThisWeek Community News, with support from Otterbein University. The Mission of the Westerville Education Foundation is to enrich the learning experience and broaden the minds of our students through the funding and support of innovative educational programs. To nominate, give or join, please visit www.WestervilleEducationFoundation.com.