The Westerville Education Foundation (WEF) named three educators Teacher of the Month for September – Katie Mahoney, Westerville Central High School; Devyn Dues, Westerville South High School; and Amy Anglin, Academic Enrichment Center. Each received a certificate and $100 to spend on classroom activities.
Katie Mahoney teaches AP Government at Westerville Central High School. Her nominator applauds her enthusiasm for the subject, stating that, “her students leave her class each day learning something new that they did not know when they entered.” Not only does Mrs. Mahoney’s work prepare her students for college Political Science courses, but the relationships she builds in the classroom have a lasting impact on her students. “She has written countless recommendation letters for colleges and universities, Military Academies, Armed Forces, scholarship applications, and for the work field,” says her nominator. The nomination also describes how Mrs. Mahoney has paid college application fees for students that needed that assistance, as well as discreetly donated clothing so as not to embarrass anyone. “Her passion for education is obvious to her colleagues and every individual who enters her classroom.”
Devyn Dues is a teacher at Westerville South High School who was nominated by her colleague and team-teaching partner Kassie Gutierrez. “Devyn is one of the most amazing teachers I have ever had the opportunity to work with and her dedication to her students is admirable,” Gutierrez wrote, noting that her partnership with Devyn has helped her grow as a teacher. Gutierrez describes Devyn as an extremely passionate teacher who sees the best in her students and works extra hours to ensure they get everything they need to succeed. “Devyn goes above and beyond in everything she does, whether it’s planning a lesson, working with students, writing IEPs, or building relationships with students,” wrote Gutierrez, adding, “She is the definition of a team player and would do anything to help make South a better place.”
Amy Anglin is the English teacher at the Educational Options for Success (EOS) program, which is located at the district’s Academic Enrichment Center. EOS is an alternative approach to the traditional high school, a credit recovery approach that facilitates an opportunity to get back “on-track,” or an accelerated credit attainment opportunity. Nominator Rhonda Hoffman wrote, “Amy not only teaches English to students, but she will go above and beyond helping students succeed in this program by sitting with them to discuss their progress in the program to what they want to do in the future.” Amy has been with the Westerville City Schools for 26 years, teaching at Heritage, North, and South before coming to EOS in 2011. She has also coached swimming and volleyball in the district, choreographed musicals, and at one point taught aerobics to Westerville staff. Amy is described as a great technical resource for her colleagues. Hoffman added, “The EOS program is a very strong community asset for Westerville, with the program having continued success in producing high school graduates who are considered disenfranchised and highly at-risk youth. Amy is a leader in teaching and in the community.”
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.