Kim Murray, a Spanish teacher at Genoa Middle School, Ashley Kellogg, a fourth-grade teacher at Fouse Elementary, and Kristy Hageman, a third-grade teacher at Alcott Elementary have been named Westerville Education Foundation’s (WEF) April Teachers of the Month.
WEF Board Member and Chair of the Teacher of the Month program Rebecca Chesnic, Westerville Parent Council Vice President Molly Frizzell, Executive Director of Human Resources Scott Reeves and other administrators surprised recipients with the news on Thursday.
Nomination letters for each recipient featured glowing praise:
Murray: “Kim always tries to make her lessons fun and engaging. She has her Spanish students play instruments, sing, color, act things out, do scavenger hunts around the building etc... It is never a dull day in Spanish. Students come to my class still singing the alphabet every year, she makes her curriculum so engaging.”
Kellogg: “Mrs. Kellogg is always doing little things to make the kids in her class feel special. Coming in after a hard year, it isn't always easy to take the time to do the extra things… She manages to make all of her students feel as if they get all the time they ask for with her. Her weekly updates are very specific and help keep us parents in the know for what our busy kiddos are up to. When my kids were quarantined early in the year, it was so helpful to know she was checking in on us daily to see if we needed anything. I know we are not the only family that feels this way.”
Hageman: “I have been completely blown away by the amazing education my third-grade son has received from Mrs. Hageman, and the intimate, creative and supportive environment she's managed to create within their classroom… Mrs. Hageman seeks to nurture the unique talents and interests of her students in an intentional and compassionate way, while challenging them in terms of curriculum and academic expectations. It's truly a magical blend that we've never experienced before at Alcott to this extent.”
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.