Maryann Blankenship, a first-grade teacher at Cherrington Elementary; TJ Potterf, a kindergarten teacher at Pointview Elementary; and Katie Summers, an intervention specialist at the Early Learning Center have been named Westerville Education Foundation’s December Teachers of the Month.
WEF Executive Director Colleen Moidu, WEF Board Member and Chair of the Teacher of the Month program Rebecca Chesnic, Superintendent Dr. John Kellogg, Executive Director of Human Resources Scott Reeves as well as administrators and teachers surprised recipients with the news.
Nomination letters for each recipient featured glowing praise:
Blankenship: “Mrs. Blankenship has a genuine gift to see things in her students that they don’t see about themselves, yet and her sacrifices over the past two years — both big and small — do not go unnoticed.”
Potterf: “She brings out the best in her students. She genuinely cares and has such a way with kids. She handles behaviors so well, she teaches kindness and inclusiveness and her students are truly thriving.”
Summers: “Her knowledge of Trauma-Informed Care and the immense amount of patience she displays is awe-inspiring. Katie truly cares for her students and she is so involved in every aspect of their learning. There needs to be more teachers like her in the preschool. It's the first experience for special needs children. Our children have been truly blessed to start their educational journey with Katie.”
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.