001Heat. we get started. Pretty pretty packed house today. So, good afternoon. I'm Matt Evans from the Clarkson Foundation. I have the privilege of serving uh as the uh chair of our annual teacher of the year program here. And on behalf of the Clarkson Foundation, I want to welcome everybody to the I was just counting the year's 33rd teacher of the year celebration. A you wouldn't get a from anyone else but the elementary, you know, educators. I love it. Uh it's truly an honor to get together to recognize the people who make a lasting difference in the lives of our children. And for more than 30 years, the Clarkson Foundation has supported our schools, our staff, our students through classroom grants, scholarships, uh, and programs that honor the people who make a difference, uh, in this
002community and for our kids. But today is about something even deeper. It's about re, uh, recognizing the heart, the patience, and the dedication that you all pour into your work every single day. often in ways that aren't fully seen, but are deeply felt by the students and the families that you all serve. This program has grown tremendously over those 33 years. What was a simple gesture, uh, a thank you, and maybe a bouquet of flowers, uh, has grown to be something very meaningful. Uh, and I'm happy that the Clarkson Foundation has been able to support it for so long. in a meaningful way of honoring excellence that's in this room today. Every nominee will walk out of here uh with a classroom grant for $150. Every finalist will walk out of here with a classroom
003grant for $300. And our teacher of the year will walk out of here with a classroom grant for $1,000. And that is our commitment from the community to give back to all of you who give so much. And we're also incredibly fortunate to partner with the wonderful family and team from La Fontaine Automotive Group who are sitting up here up front. Uh and with the help of the Clarkson Foundation this year, we able to award our teacher of the year with a 2-year lease, one of those beautiful cars uh you passed when you walked in here uh this afternoon. So, La Fontaine team, thank you for being here. And I and I don't know if they're in the room. Um, but I want to recognize two individuals who helped uh set everything up today uh
004and get us uh to where we are. Uh Kelly Allen and Amanda Chapel. I don't know if they're in the room back hiding in the back. So, thank you both. Thank you both so much for what you do. Greatly appreciate it. Uh in my six years on foundation board, this has become one of the moments I look forward to most. It gives us a chance to pause and truly appreciate extraordinary people who care for, encourage, and inspire our students each and every day. This year, 20 teachers were nominated. Several of you getting multiple nominations. In a committee of five board members got together, reviewed every submission line by line, word by word, uh, and we selected eight finalists. As we read through these nominations, one message came through again and again, and it's that the
005impact that you all have on children and families reaches far beyond academics. You help students feel seen. You help students build confidence. You create safety, belonging, and hope. You are mentors, encouraers, role models, and a steady source of care. And you truly are extraordinary. And we were talking with Nancy about the whole process and she said when it comes to elementary educators it is truly a very different group. Uh and just in absolute awe from all the nominations we read. And I will say this certain words or themes continue to show up again and again as we went through every single nomination. Um words that reflect not only what you do but the kind of people that you are and the lasting impressions that you leave on those around you. Um, I should have put
006these on the screen, but I'm going to I'm just read through some of these words and themes that we read through these submissions. Caring, compassionate, extraordinary, warm, respectful, calm, supportive, collaborative, patient, innovative, creative, dedicated, outgoing, personable, structured, fun, committed, enthusiastic, empowering, dynamic, passionate, motivating, relationship building, encouraging, diligent, and I could literally go on and on for an entire page, but I'll stop there. Um, but I think as I read through all those words, I think about every educator in this room that was nominated this year and for the past 33 years, that's a good way to describe all of you. So again, I want to give you all a round of applause for all the work that you do. And as we get into this program, uh, the district wouldn't be what it is without
007the incredible principles we have in the room here. uh the ever talented Nancy Mahoney who was a former teacher of the year winner herself. Also my favorite math teacher of all time. She taught me a lot. Got me through calculus. She deserves a round of applause for that. I wasn't at her class. I was at Pizza Hut or somewhere else. Um and of course one of uh my all-time favorite superintendent, Dr. Shawn Ryan. So it's at this time my honor to welcome to the podium our superintendent for Clarkson Community Schools, Dr. Shawn Ryan. Thank you. And thank you, Matt Evans. You know, truly a legacy. Matt brings not only his father, who is one of the founding members for the Clarkson Foundation and bringing it here in Clarkson to show how this community could kind
008of give back and supported schools because at the end of the day, our schools become and are reflections of our communities and what we aspire and dream for our our students, our kids. And Matt represents that as a former student. I mean, literally, it's a family affair up here with, you know, his former calculus teacher to my left, who's now my right-hand person in in curriculum and instruction in the entire district. And looking at the honor that is teacher of the year, you know, in Clarkston, for those have been around for a long time, it's truly kind of a celebrity status. It's really an amazing achievement. Kind of a green jacket in the Masters or whatever equivalent you'll look at. Uh, but it really represents the best in what we have. The words that Matt
009said truly are from the heart. The individuals here that were nominated and are supported not only by the Clarkson Foundation and and Matt Evans and the rest of the team. I can't say enough. Look at the amount of of support and interest and engagement that the La Fontaine group has provided for this um tribute is I can't say thank you enough. You know, it's so often in this world that to me the important things that are out there, the things that we should truly be paying attention to and caring about are left on the side of the road compared to the things that are the bam, the interest, the click grabs. I mean, the things that we shouldn't be paying attention whether we're kids, adults, teachers, communities, is sadly sometimes not in the forefront of
010our thoughts, hearts, and minds. But today kind of pushes back into that. And for the nominees, your families, and everybody here that's representing and part of Clarkson Community Schools, you know, I ask you to hold these moments. You know, look to find ways to show appreciation to the people that are making a difference. People standing up for what's right. People in spite of the world we live in are focused more on bringing the ideals that you feel on a sunny day like this and what it means to be part of this community. So, I want to thank all of our nominees. everything that you knew do. You really do represent the best and the brightest of us all. And as a tribute to everyone, your families and the people that helped you get here today
011because as we talk to our graduates across the stage at Pine Knob next week, week after a week, a little over a week away from now is it's a total team effort to get everyone across the finish line. Um, you all included. So, I appreciate this opportunity to really engage and be part of this event. And as a superintendent, I'm very much humbled to be in a crowd like this. So, thank you. And Miss Mahoney, you want to carry into the heart of our program. Thank you very much. Such a beautiful day. It's such a beautiful moment to be with elementary uh teachers. When the list came out and I I sat with Matt as you know the leader of of this uh whole initiative, I said this is a great problem to have. I
012think every single one of you uh you know is deserving and this congratulations is really not just to the winner it but is to every nominee in this room. You know I spent 16 years at the secondary level and coming down to elementary it was a big change and a big step and immediately you can just feel the magic that happens at the elementary level. It's overwhelming. Um, it's beautiful and it is such an honor, I think, to be here to celebrate this division. As Matt and Sean spoke so beautifully about teachers, um, at the elementary, you truly are the makers of our future. You build the foundation for success. And I think what I notice as well is that you show up and you never give up. You have an open heart. You have
013a beautiful smile. and you see the potential in every single child and we want to carry that into secondary and beyond and that's what you give and that's what makes I think the elementary division so beautiful. So from my heart um I just want to say thanks for being the soul of education. I'm going to start um really by celebrating our nominees and I'm going to call uh the nominees up. I'm going to hand you a certificate and um again your classroom grant. All right. So, let's begin celebrating everyone. Let's start with Gary Amik. He is a teacher at Andersonville Elementary. Is Gary with us? Kim, you want to come up and can you just take this for him, please? Thanks, Kim. Amy Batty, Clarkson Elementary. Melissa Kavanaaugh, Springfield Plains Elementary. Megan Collins, Pineab Elementary.
014Nikki Dudek, North Sasha Elementary. Jackie Frederickson, Independence Elementary. Kim Hicks, North Sasha Elementary. April Kilaw, Clarkson Elementary. Well, yes. Thank you. >> Jamie Mirris, Clarkson Elementary. Kelly Mafia, Clarkson Elementary. Valerie Rosepka, Springfield Plains Elementary. Abby St. Aubin, North Sasha Elementary. I'm going to now transition to our finalists. When I call your name uh attached to your school, I'd like you to just come up and have a seat at one of these chairs. Okay. Let's start with Michelle Aceorp, Springfield Plains Elementary. Kyle Elbury, North Sasha Elementary. >> Lisa Drew, Springfield Plains Elementary. and Duffy, Independence Elementary. Kelly Johnson, Clarkson Elementary. Bethany Rael, Bailey Lake Elementary. Megan Sack, Independence Elementary. Ann Marie Wilson, North Sashba Elementary. So before we kind of dig into our finalists here, um I'm going to have you guys just sit and breathe
015just for a second. I want you to listen to some uh really special words from a really beautiful um teacher of the year. And that was our teacher of the year for 2025, Emily Grant Grammatical. Please come up. Emily was last year's recipient. She uh teaches our English language learners at the junior high and welcome to the podium. >> Well, thank you. Just adjust this a little bit. Congratulations. Congratulations to all the nominees as well. Like Nancy said, my name is Emily Grammatico and I'm an ELD and Spanish teacher at Clarkson Junior High School. It's hard to believe that almost 22 years of my life have been in the eighth and 9th grade building. I always joke that I've been a ninth grader for 20 almost 22 years. In our building, you get stuck in
016the teenage years and you forget that these kids come from somewhere so special. We miss their elementary years and we focus on their futures. We keep pushing the future on them. Recently in class, I took a pause and I looked at their teenage faces. And I remember that the people who taught them how to read and write, the people who hugged them when they needed it, the people who taught them about friendships and boundaries, patience, following rules and listening skills, which they kind of lost that skill, are the people who are sitting in this room tonight. So, I looked at my classes full of ninth graders and I started thinking about the list of finalists here and I said, "Uh, hey, hey guys, did anyone have Mrs. Roco when they when you were little?" And
017their hands flew up in the air. Just kidding. They don't raise their hands. They just started shouting. And then they started shouting and I looked at them and their 14-year-old 15-year-old faces kind of transformed to little fourth grade faces which made me like them a little bit more. And they were so eager to talk about Mrs. Roco and they said she's so nice and patient and kind and compassionate. And then in the back of the room I heard she saved my life. And I said, "Oh, tell me more about that." He said, "I want to write this down." I said, "Okay." He's like, "I want to thank her for saving my life by stepping in the way when a chair was being thrown at me." He chuckled. He goes, "I love her." And then I
018said, "Okay, all right. All right. How about uh Springfield Plains? How about Acor?" And then a girl shouted, "I was jealous of my sister when she had her as a teacher. She was always so patient, nice, and understanding. She really cares about her kids. She wants to see them succeed and de and develop." one said that he didn't really remember her that much in class, but when he would see her outside of school, she'd always recognize him and say, "Hi." I'm like, "This is good." And they liked it, too, cuz we weren't we were just talking about their teachers. I said, "How about Mr. Alberry?" And then in the back of the room, there's like a deep voice. Such a good guy. I go, "Oh, tell me more." He's super fun. He genuinely cared about
019how we were learning. I said, 'You mean what you were learning?' He goes, 'n no how we were learning. He made sure we were prepared for middle school. I said, 'All right, how about Mrs. Drew? And then three girls ran up to my desk right away and they said, I remember being online during CO. She made school fun still. She was always excited to start the day. A student told me that she was so kind that she would drive her sister home when her parents were not able to. And I said, "Should I put that in there?" She goes, "Write that down." Um, I also heard from another girl who shouted out, "Mrs. Grammatico, you know that she was nominated by a group of sixth grade boys." Said, "That's pretty cool." I said, "Mrs. Duffy?"
020I said, "You know, does anyone know Mrs. Duffy?" I'm like, "Is that Ty and Micah's mom?" And they said, "I remember her being so patient. I also had the pleasure of teaching Ty and Micah. I don't want to lose sight of the fact that she's a busy mother and I know that the woman is a wonderful mother and a wonderful teacher just from teaching her sons. Kelly Johnson from Clarkson Elementary kids said that she's nice and calm and soft-spoken. And a teacher chimed in and said, "I want in on this. Um, she has a love of art that has reached the kids, the teachers, the community, and there are so many people who notice and appreciate her love of art and learning." I was writing this in class when I should have been working a
021little bit and a kid looked over at my computer and he said, "Hey, she's a great mother." I say, "She's your mom." No, no, no. She's a great mother. I know that. Said, "Oh, he's write that down." Megan Sack, all I did was say your name and the kids started screaming, "Nice. Awesome. They remember your stories about Haiti." And they were so excited to share them with me. They lit up when they heard your name. One student told me that he was new to the district. It was his first year and you were his first teacher and she made me feel so welcomed. Ann Marie Wilson, you when I said your name, all they could say is her room was so creative, so peaceful, such a nice teacher. And then someone said she was so
022kind to my brother when he needed it. She was super kind and a good teacher. She built such a good vibe in her classroom. One of her colleagues recently told me that she has so much love for our multilingual learners and an amazing teacher to all. So, while these kids have passed through your lives are now in mine, they may not remember to bring a pencil to class or to charge their Chromebook at night. But they sure remember what really matters. They remembered how you made them feel. They remember how patient and kind you were. So take this moment to bottle up this feeling that you're holding on to right now. And whenever you feel doubt, remember that there's a child in a classroom who lights up when they hear your name. And their me
023memories just flood of you and what you've done. Because of you, they carry the lessons that you have instilled in them. And I hope you carry those lessons with you, too. Congratulations. That was so nice. I love that. So, we're going to dig in a little bit now with each of you. Okay. When I call your principal up and I'm going to say your name, I'd like you to come up and stand and we're all going to soak you up with all the goodness. Okay? I know we're excited. Matt Gford, let's start with you with Michelle Athorp. Okay, come forward, Michelle. Distinguished guests, colleagues, and families of Clarkston. It's a privilege to stand before you here today to celebrate an educator who re represents the very heart of Springfield Plains Elementary and our mission to
024love, learn, and lead. As our building principal for the past nine years, I have had the front row seat to a master class in early childhood education. It is my distinct joy to present for the second time our nominee for teacher of the year, Mrs. Michelle Ator. They say that teaching is an art. Well, and if that's true, Michelle A. Thorp is an artist whose medium is the potential of our youngest learners. In her Young Fives classroom, Michelle creates more than just a lesson plan. She creates an environment. It is a space that is safe, welcoming, and vibrant. A place where students don't just attend school, they belong. Michelle possesses a profound command of early childhood development. She understands at this stage that learning isn't just about the ABCs. It's about the aha moments. Whether
025she is differentiating a lesson to meet each child's specific needs or establishing an individual plan to ensure success, she does does so with a master's touch. Her classroom community is so well established that you will see 5-year-olds engaging in respectful dialogue, sharing ideas, and uplifting one another. This is a direct reflection of the kindness that she models every day. While her impact within the four walls of Springfield Plains is immense, Michelle Michelle's influence stretches across the entire district. She is a powerhouse of leadership, serving as one of the lead speakers for Clarkson's kindergarten information night. She is the first reassuring voice many families hear as they begin their journey in our schools. She leads the way in high scope curriculum and planning, ensuring our district stays at the forefront of early childhood research. She is
026a leader within her PLC and a vital adviser to me and our staff. When we face tough decisions, we look to Michelle's experience and insight. What truly sets Michelle apart, however, isn't just her impressive resume or deep knowledge of pedigogy. It is her heart. She advocates tirelessly for every student fueled by a positive energy that is frankly contagious. She sees the best in every child. And because she believes in them, they begin to believe in themselves. Michelle, you are the best of the best and our district is better because of your dedication, your advocacy, and your unwavering love for our students and your students. Please join me in celebrating a true asset to SPE and the entire Clarkston community, Mrs. Michelle Ator. I'm just going to be a little creative here and I'm not going
027to go in alphabetical order. Let's go to the other end of the line. Anmarie Wilson. Jen Johnson, can you come up? Let's celebrate Ann Marie Wilson. Good evening. So when people think about great teachers, they often think about the lessons that they teach, the skills that they build, and the knowledge that they help children acquire. But the most extraordinary teachers do something even more important. They help children feel safe. They help children believe in themselves. and they help children discover that they are capable of far more than they ever imagined. And Anmarie Wilson is one of those very extraordinary teachers. At North Ashabah Elementary, Ann Marie creates the kind of classroom every child deserves. Her students are understood. Their voices are heard. They are cared for and deeply valued. They know that they matter to
028her. And they know that she believes in them. And because they know those things, they are willing to take risks, persevere through challenges, and grow in remarkable ways. Ann Marie has a rare gift of balancing compassion and understanding with high expectations. She meets every student exactly where they are while never losing sight of where they are capable of going. She celebrates their successes, supports them through their struggles, and gently but consistently encourages them to keep moving forward. She is a tireless advocate for children and families. She looks beyond the immediate task in front of her to understand what each child needs to be successful. Whether that means offering encouragement encouragement, partnering closely with families, or working with colleagues to remove barriers, she approaches every situation with empathy and strong and thoughtful determination. Her influence extends
029well beyond her own classroom. She is a highly respected colleague. She is always learning, always reflecting, always looking for ways to improve. She brings professionalism and a deep sense of purpose to everything that she does. And most importantly, Ann Marie reminds us what teaching is truly about. It is about helping children feel safe enough to learn, confident enough to try, and valued enough to believe in themselves. North Sasha Elementary is a better place because of Anie Wilson. Her impact on students, families, and colleagues is profound. She is deeply deserving of this recognition for teacher of the year. >> Jen, would you like to stay? Cal Elbury, let's celebrate you. All right, this is the man. Here we go. Uh, fifth grade is a pivotal year in a child's life. Students stand at the threshold between
030childhood and adolescence. They are preparing for those increased acadec academic expectations of middle school. But they are also learning who they are, how they relate to others, and what they are capable of becoming. Guiding students through this important transition requires far more than strong instruction. It requires patience, wisdom, high expectations, and a genuine commitment to helping children grow into confident, responsible, and compassionate young people. Mr. Albury brings all those qualities and more to the work that he does each day. He has a remarkable ability to connect with students and create a classroom community where they feel respected, supported, and challenged. His students know that he sees their strengths, believes in their potential, and will provide both the encouragement and accountability that they need to succeed. Under Kyle's guidance, students grow not only as readers, writers,
031and mathematicians, but also as individuals. He helps them become more reflective, more empathetic, and more aware of how their actions affect others. His classroom is a place where students learn the value of perseverance, responsibility, and mutual respect. Kyle is also an exceptionally skilled educator. His lessons are thoughtfully planned, engaging, and intellectually rigorous. He presents content in ways that are clear, and meaningful, and he provides specific feedback that helps students understand exactly how to improve. As a result, students are deeply engaged in their learning and they make significant progress. One of Kyle's greatest strengths is his ability to create a truly inclusive classroom. He invests the time to understand each student as an individual and he works intentionally to ensure every child feels valued and connected to that classroom community. Whenever I am in his room,
032I don't want to leave and I want to be in fifth grade again. Mr. Alberry is an outstanding educator whose influence is felt in the lives of his students and throughout North Sasha Elementary. We are fortunate to have him as a teacher, colleague, and a leader. And he is so deserving of this recognition as a teacher of the year finalist. Congratulations. This is so much fun. Nate Fuller, are you ready? Principal of Independence Elementary. Let's celebrate Megan Sack. All right. Good evening everyone. I it is my honor to be able to speak on behalf of Megan Sack and um say a few words about her. I am going to start with this though. I promised her that I would not embarrass her. So, I'm going to stay true to that. So there's no way that
033I would ever say that when her first year being hired and our building was under construction, I did not see her or Jamie Scora locked in the front office and staring out saying, "Help me, please. We've come a long way, Megan." So Megan, this year our district theme has been a culture of growth. And when I think about someone who truly lives out that theme every single day, I think of you. Growth is not always loud or flashy. Sometimes it looks like patience. Sometimes it looks like consistency. Sometimes it looks like showing up every day for students, meeting them where they are, and believing in who they can become. Megan, you embody all of that with a smile on your face every day. In fact, growth has become such a part of who you are
034that I hear that it extends beyond the classroom that you've taken up growing flowers at home. Hopefully, staying away from the bees, as we found out last week, you're allergic to them, and nurturing and caring for and helping something grow with time and attention. And honestly, that feels like the perfect reflection of the educator you are. You're you understand that growth takes patience, encouragement, care, consistency, maybe a little of talking to water as fifth graders, maybe a bath, things like that for your fifth grade. What makes you especially unique is that your commitment to growth is not just something you expect from students. It's something you continually pursue for yourself. You are always striving to grow as an educator and as a person. You will often ask to meet with me and either share new
035ideas or challenges for me to do more in the building while always staying grounded in who you are and the integrity you bring in everything you do. In a profession where it can be easy to lose yourself in the demands of the job, you remain authentic, compassionate, and true to your values. This year, during such a critical transition for students, you created a classroom culture that empowers students to become independent thinkers to be leaders. Through classroom government, cool ASL projects, and your constant jump-in mentality, students are learning not only academics, but also responsibility, leadership, and confidence. You are also an inspiring advocate for students and a leader among staff. Whether it's supporting classroom initiatives, embracing an all hands-on deck mindset in the areas of growth like math for your students. when you saw a need
036arise, you brought the whole team together, as many people as you could, I think even Nancy Mahoney, and said, "What can we do for our students, that was a pretty special moment to see as your leader, you model commitment to growth, and you always exemplify what it looks like every day." Megan, thank you for helping bring our district's culture of growth to life. Thank you for your patience, empathy, leadership, and the care you pour into students and staff and the community every single day. Your impact reaches far beyond just academics. You are helping to shape confident, compassionate, and capable young people. Megan, you are the good. I'm proud to have hired you, Megan. I'm proud of who you are and what you continue to do and people around here just like you. You divi You
037define the idea of culture of growth. You live it. Well done, Bronco leader. Well done. Oh, >> we're going to bring Springfield Plains back up. Lisa Drew, it's time to celebrate you. Matt Gford. Got to get front side. Hello again. It's an honor to stand here today to recognize an educator who doesn't just teach, she transforms. When you walk into Lisa Drew's classroom, you don't just see a lesson, you feel an atmosphere. One of Lisa's most phenomenal gifts is her ability to validate every student who speaks. In math lessons, there is no such thing as a wrong answer. Instead, Lisa takes every student contribution and weaves it into the larger tapestry of the concept. She uses every explanation as a bridge to deeper understanding, ensuring that no child feels discouraged. By removing the fear of
038being wrong, she has unlocked the courage to be curious. The energy in Lisa's room is evident. She leads with a genuine joy for learning that is contagious. Her students just don't attend class. They buy into the mission because of her strong command of the subject matter and her high octane enthusiasm. Engagement is never a struggle. It is a given. But beneath the high energy of it is a foundation of incredible structure. In Mrs. Drew's class, students are empowered. They know exactly what is expected of them. Transitions are seamless and students always know their next steps once a task is complete. Relationships are a priority in Lisa's classroom. She builds authentic, lasting bonds with her students, their families, and her colleagues. Lisa's impact extends far beyond the four walls of her classroom. She is the definition
039of a lifelong learner and a collaborator. Whether she is working with a coaching cycle to implement reciprocal teaching strategies and literacy or putting a vocabulary at the front of her forefront of her students writing, she is always pushing for excellence. She hasn't just kept these successes to herself. Lisa has opened her doors as a model teacher, hosting multiple math labs for both fourth and fifth grade teachers. She has become a beacon for her grade level team, support staff, and coaches alike. Lisa, you are the best of the best. You are kind, you are caring, and you are a powerhouse of pedigogy. You draw the absolute best out of everyone around you. On behalf of the entire staff and the families at SPE, thank you for your dedication, your bravery, and opening your classroom to others
040and your unwavering heart. Congratulations to our SPE teacher of the year, Lisa Drew. Bailey Lake is calling you Josh Lame. Bethany Roco, please come up. Uh, good afternoon everyone. Um, when I speak at events uh such as this, my wife Katie, who is way more intelligent than I am and a former teacher of the year winner, reminds me, stick to the script. Like, land the plane, Josh. So, I'm going to go away from that for a minute because as I as I listen to the principles and the words and all of the things here tonight, I'm in awe. I'm in awe of Bethany. I'm in awe of the educational talent that's up here and in this room. Um, like I wish that I could be as good at one thing in my life as you
041guys are at teaching our kids. So, let's I want to recognize that again. There's a lot of educated people. Back to the script. Um, it is an honor to stand before you tonight to speak on behalf of an educator who truly embodies the heart and the science of teaching, and that's Bethany Roco. Um, I've had the privilege of knowing Bethany for many years. Uh, but this year marks a special milestone for me. Uh, it's the first year that I've had the pleasure of working alongside her as a principal at Bailey Lake Elementary. Um, and getting to view her positive impact firsthand every day has been a joy. When you watch Beth in her element, it becomes immediately clear that teaching is not just her profession, but it is her calling. Um, and if I had
042to choose one word that resonates above all others when I think of Bethany, it's dedication. Uh, and this is most powerful powerfully exemplified in the lasting positive relationships that she builds with her students. She doesn't just teach a curriculum, she builds a community and her classroom is a sanctuary of safety, encouragement, and warmth for her students. In fact, the cla the the environment that she creates is so impactful that former students frequently return to help her with classroom setup or just to go back and check in with her on a personal level. I think even something that's even more profound um is that one of her former students has shared that it's Bethy's influence that inspired them to pursue a career in education as well. And I think that's the definition of a of a
043lasting educational legacy. Beth's passion is witnessed daily in the way that she deliberately lifts her students up through transformative experiences. This year, Beth spearheaded a fourth grade poetry reading. The event allowed students to showcase their original creations in front of their families and community members. The kids loved it. Um, even though we all know that public speaking can be a daunting even for adults, for principles. I know Mr. Adams gets really nervous things like this. Um, but it's it's easy to say nice things about nice people, so I don't find this difficult tonight. Um, Beth's patient support and unwavering encouragement of her fourth graders inspired numerous students to step far outside their comfort zones. They stood tall and shared deeply personal poems, moments of vulnerability uh, and courage that never would have happened without Beth's
044belief in them. Uh, but Bethy's dedication doesn't stop at the classroom door. It shines just as brightly when you look at her leadership in our district. Over the last three years, Bethany has been an integral part of the research, selection, and eventual implementation of our new K5 literacy curriculum. She has committed countless hours of her own personal time to develop and refine this curriculum. Uh, and she didn't just do this for the benefit of fourth graders at Bailey Lake. Uh, she did it for the benefit of every single elementary student across our entire school district. Uh in my experience in education, 21 years at secondary and elementary, it's rare to find an individual who possesses this exact combination of gifts. Someone who is profoundly caring and dedicated to living to lifting up the hearts of
045children. Uh and someone who is also a curriculum expert and a master of the science of education. And with Bethany, both of these qualities are undeniably true. Uh, it's hard to turn something that is an art teaching into a science, but Beth does it with grace and kindness. Beth is a deeply deserving candidate for teacher of the year. Thank you. Hey, Fuller. Let's giddy up once again. Okay. Ann Duffy, come up here. Good evening again. So, I heard Dr. Ryan say that he talked about this community as a family. And if you're an elementary teacher or you've been around, you know that special things in their lives are really important. So, I thought we would start by saying something that's special in Ann's life, and that is it's her birthday today. So, on the count
046of three, let's say happy birthday. 1 2 3 Happy birthday. There you go, Ann. I know. I know. All right, Ann, we see you. I think sometimes in life we honor those that go above and beyond or have a great year or do something extraordinary. For you though, an this is bigger to me. You represent a legacy that pushes me and others to be steadfast, to be consistent, to be innovative, and not just for certain years, but as the person for who you are. These qualities sometimes become just expected for a school, staff, community. But in all honesty, an we wouldn't function without people like you every day. We see you, Anne. You are a mother of four, a wife, a woman of faith. Sometimes these aren't mentioned at an awards ceremony, but you stay
047true to these platforms in your life, and everything you do is exemplified with the crossovers to your teaching flawlessly. Our IE school has loved to see you engage with your kids, Micah, Ty, Hunter, Ava, over the years and even watch you and occasionally pull up on your own Harley-Davidson or your husband to the school grounds. And we see you. Your ability to comprehend curriculum and use data for your decision points for instruction are second to none. The way you move between grade levels or work with new teammates and say, "How can I grow from this adversary is encouraging to our new staff and proves to be an exemplary professionalism that you bring every day?" Or it's a simplicity of making cookies for our opening Tigers Day cookoff or making waves for our variety show. Everything
048you do and you want to add a little extra pizzazz to. We see you. The drive you have to make academic service learning tangible for staff to incorporate and utilize student passions is admirable. You are truly one of the biggest advocates for service learning and year after year getting teachers to open their doors to allowing students to take ownership of their learning. you gave a stat at our closing ceremony at our um serving our community kids style our socks week that we have impacted over 17,000 people over the last 23 years at Independence Elementary 17,000 people have benefited from our academic service learning and an you have played a major part in that and we see you I see you man for being a force in our building. I see you for being a voice
049for all stakeholders. I see you every day giving all of yourself and time to exhaustion. You give all of our students while living and breathing who you are, your platforms and ideals. I see you feeling honored for this acknowledgement, but knowing that no matter what praises you may receive, you will continue to do what you do. and we see a legacy from you that flows flawlessly that we count on it. But know that every day we see it and we see you. Well done, Bronco leader. Well done. Kelly Johnson, it's pretty special that you're a co-curricular teacher up here and we're we're just ready to celebrate you and the creativity you bring into our world. So, come up. Brian Adams, Clarkson Elementary. All right. So, if uh Mr. Lamemé said stick to the script, anybody
050that knows me, unscripted might be my uh middle name here. So, bear with me for a minute. Also, Mrs. Mahoney, thank you for making me the last one cuz my biggest stress as he was talking about stress was if it was before 5:00, do I say good evening everybody or good afternoon everybody? So, thank you for putting me at the end. Um, so good evening everyone. Um, I want to start by congratulating all of the nominees for this prestigious award. As my mentor Glenn Galter always says, "When one of us shines, we all shine." So, thank you each for representing yourself, your school, our district, and the field of education in such a tremendous way. Let's give them all a round of applause again. Now, I have a few words about Kelly Johnson, the CE
051art teacher. They say that in the world of art, a masterpiece is entirely in the eye of the beholder. A single canvas can invoke completely different emotions depending on who is standing in front of it. This is something that I experienced when visiting the DIA with the administrative team earlier this year. Shortly after the visit, I told the staff that students are a lot like works of art. Just like art, there are many different types of students. Not one is exactly the same as another. We talked about the fact that when you know the story behind a student or a work of art for that matter, it often helps to see them for their true beauty. I reminded the CE staff that educators are like artists. They help students be seen for their unique and
052beautiful qualities. My visit to the DIA reminded me that we shouldn't be trying to create the same master masterpiece in our case students and CES 420. So 420 times. Um but what we should be doing is trying to create 420 different masterpieces. So tonight, we're here to celebrate an educator and an artist whose impact is entirely undisputed. She takes the time to get to know the story behind each student and enables them to be the best version of themselves. To all of you and the Clarkson Foundation selection committee, Kelly is a nominee for teacher of the year. But to the hundreds of students that walk in her classroom every day and the 70 plus colleagues that work with her, Kelly is something much greater, she is a masterpiece in our eyes. Kelly doesn't just teach
053color theory or how to hold a paintbrush. She teaches courage. Her classroom is a sanctuary where where mistakes aren't failures. They are just happy accidents and the first draft of something beautiful. She looks at a room full of messy, chaotic, and uncertain children and doesn't see a challenge. She sees a gallery of unlimited potential. She blends patience with passion, sketches out confidence where there is doubt, and adds vibrant color to the lives of everyone she meets. She has taught us that we don't have to be perfect to be priceless. So, while art critics may de debate what makes a work of art truly great, her students and colleagues have already reached a verdict. Kelly, thank you for sculpting our minds, painting our worlds with kindness, and being a masterpiece to inspire all of us. Congratulations
054on this incredibly welldeserved nomination. Wow. Uh, I don't know how you follow any of that. Um, three takeaways I had. One, it's okay not to stick to the script, Katie. Nancy didn't do it. Josh, you're good. You don't have to stick to the script. Two, we need more tissues. Uh, three, Emily, I'm nominating you for teacher of the year committee uh, chair next year after that amazing speech. kidding. But thank you so much for what you just said. It was unbelievable. Unbelievable. Um makes me incredibly part uh proud to be a part of this community. Um a parent of two children in this district. I can say from the heart how grateful I am for all the teachers, all the educators in this room. Uh you do so much more than teach lessons. You shape
055confidence. You spark curiosity. You offer encouragement. And you help children believe in themselves. And that gift will stay with them for a lifetime. Um, at this time I'd like to uh welcome up Victor Vulai, who's the general sales manager of La Fontaine Automotive Group to the podium just to say a few words on behalf of La Fontaine and thank you all again for your partnership here. I promise it won't be long. All right. On behalf of everyone at La Fontaine Automotive, it's truly an honor to be here to celebrate someone who dedicates their life to making a difference in the lives of children. Teachers shape futures. They inspire confidence, create opportunity, strengthen the foundation of our communities every single day. Today, we have the privilege of recognizing one extraordinary educator who impact reaches far beyond
056the classroom. At Laafontaine, our mission is simple but meaningful. It's to build lifelong relationships, connect families, strengthen communities, and personalize the automotive experience. That mission is exactly what we're doing today. This isn't just about giving away a vehicle. It's about giving away, I'm sorry, giving back to the community. So today, on behalf of the entire La Fontaine team, we congratulate the winner and we hope this vehicle serves as a reminder that your hard work, passion, committed to not going unnoticed. You deserve to be celebrated and we are in incredibly grateful to be part of this special moment. Thank you, Victor. So, thank you all for being here. greatly appreciate it. Uh, this time it's it's my great honor to announce our Clarkson Foundation Teacher of the Year Award winner from North Stash Elementary, Miss Anarie
057Wilson. if there's one thing I've learned about all educators, they don't love to speak about themselves or talk much in public. But I'm going to welcome Amory up to the podium to say a few words. All right, a little vertically challenged, so hopefully you can see me. Um, I just want to start off by, um, recognizing all the nominees that are in the room. Um, I don't know all of you personally, but I do know a lot of you by reputation. Um, and I think that there's a common thread that connects all of us, and that is just loving kids and wanting to see them succeed. So, just congratulations to all of you and all the nominees in the room. Um, I also want to of course thank my husband, Jimmy Wilson, my parents who
058are here as well. Um, it is probably not an easy thing to support an educator as a partner. Um, so thank you so much to you for your constant love, your constant support. Um, I also want to I think just make sure that I thank the Clarkson Foundation, um, Laentane Automotive, Clarkson Community Schools. Um, it's because of the support of us as a community, everyone together, ensuring that, like I said before, we can love kids and see all kids succeed. Um, I think finally, I want to thank, um, all of my colleagues at North Sasha Elementary. Um, it's an incredibly powerful thing to come to work every day with people who are passionate and on fire for what they do. and I consider myself incredibly grateful to walk alongside of all of you every single
059day um pouring into kids and pouring into the community. So, thank you so much. I am very overwhelmed um and just so grateful. So, thank you so much. Thank you all for being here today. Thank you for the support you continue to give uh our educators in Clarkson Community Schools on behalf of the Clarkson Foundation. We're honored to be a part of this program. We're honored to recognize all of you in the room. Uh and thank you all for being here. And that'll conclude the program. Uh there is refreshments in the back if you'd like. Uh and please stick around. Thank you so much.