Congratulations to these Embrace, Empower & Inspire Award winners, Betsy Long (Elementary Teacher Leader), Jackie Noland (Elementary Teacher Leader), Nikole Abate (Secondary Teacher Leader), and Linda Sowers (Bus Driver).
“Betsy deserves this award for many reasons. Betsy is an administrator who truly leads by example. She makes all teachers feel valuable when having important math discussions. Betsy also helps teachers troubleshoot when things do not seem to be working out in the classroom. She stretches our thinking during professional development. Betsy has also led lessons in the classroom to help us with our math instruction. I truly feel she empowers teachers to deliver math instruction that is of high quality. I love that she always says teaches with integrity. Betsy has created a safe environment for teachers to share their celebrations, as well as voice their concerns.”
“Jackie Noland is everything an embrace, empower, inspire award nominee should be. She embraces teachers, working with them in the productive struggle where they are in their professional development, in the implementation of a new curriculum, and in understanding the science of reading. Jackie empowers others with her practical guidance and modeling on how to support students through instruction. She inspires others around her with her knowledge, help, patience, and responsiveness. Thank you Jackie for your tireless efforts to support every teacher and student without exception!”
“The students and staff of this district are so fortunate to have Nikole as a teacher leader who supports teachers in their instruction of English Language Arts. Nikole was instrumental in leading the ELA Course of Study Revision and selection of a new ELA 6-12 curriculum resource. Her facilitation of that process as well as the design of support she provides teachers has ensured a smooth implementation. Nikole’s commitment to district priorities that maximize student achievement while being that support for teachers and providing personalization and professional learning based on their individual needs is commendable. In addition, she has been instrumental in the district’s MTSS process and launching reading support teachers at the secondary level to meet the needs of our most vulnerable learners. Nikole is committed to being a true expert in reading instruction while also modeling what it means to be a life long learner. She is currently working on her Orton Gillingham practicum.”
“Linda was in Groveport picking up Briar Patch yesterday, a lady in a white Cadillac had a medical emergency and almost hit her head-on. She did hit the box truck behind the bus and 2 other cars in the intersection just behind where the bus is stopped. This is the prime example of what defensive driving looks like and how our drivers are trained to react. She calmed her student down and got him out of pure panic. This is the perfect example of why we do what we do!”
These staff members go above and beyond the expectations of the Hilliard Way and truly make a difference in our district. If you know a staff member that goes above and beyond their way to make a difference, you can nominate them for next month’s award by clicking HERE!
