Rachel Shoemaker, a second-grade teacher at Wilder Elementary and Maureen Hogarth, a kindergarten teacher at Hawthorne Elementary have been named Westerville Education Foundation’s (WEF) March Teachers of the Month.
The WEF April Teachers of the Month recipients include Sarah Shaffer, music teacher at Genoa Middle School; Elizabeth Byers-Spurlock, a kindergarten teacher at Fouse Elementary and Jim Ledford, a first-grade teacher at Alcott Elementary.
WEF Interim Executive Director Andrea Drago, WEF Board Member and Chair of the Teacher of the Month program Rebecca Chesnic, WEF Secretary Beth Weinhardt, Superintendent Dr. John Kellogg, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Scott Reeves and other administrators and teachers recently surprised recipients with the news.
Nomination letters for each recipient featured glowing praise:
Shoemaker: “Because she is a really good teacher, she teaches me really well. If anyone has a question she would immediately come over. She wouldn’t tell them the answer but she would help enough that we understood better. She is always there to help us when we need it.”
Hogarth: “She has gone above and beyond to help our son by using open communication, accountability and noise-canceling headphones. She is the best first grade teacher of elementary school and I’m so glad she’s our son’s kindergarten teacher.
Shaffer: “(She) is a light who provides a safe space for students to express their creativity and love of music on a daily basis at Genoa Middle School. She has been teaching for 25 plus years and helped to open Genoa Middle School. She is retiring this year and I would love for her to be recognized for the impact that she has had on so many students throughout her years as the choir director at Genoa Middle School.”
Byers-Spurlock: “(She) is truly one of the kindest, most compassionate and creative teachers I have had the opportunity to meet while my children are in school. My daughter is currently in her class and she comes home from school every day excited about what they are learning.”
Ledford: “(He) goes above and beyond every day to get his students excited about learning. He uses puppets, live animals and music in his classroom to keep students engaged and eager to learn. As a first grade teacher, he truly understands the importance of teaching kids emotional awareness and acceptance of others’ differences.