James Beers • The Academy, K-5 Science

“My goal as a teacher is to meet each student where they are at each day. I also need to show them that I care for them personally. Finally, I need to have fun. If all these things are in place, we can all learn and reach our potential.”

Martha Berginski • Millcreek, Grades K-1

“My goals as a primary teacher have remained the same: to help my students develop to their fullest potential in a nurturing environment and to encourage them to pursue life long learning. From my fellow teachers I have gained much insight into how children learn and new ways to educate our young ones. The children have shown me how each person learns in different ways and how essential it is for a teacher to provide a positive place for them to learn. Christa McAuliffe stated, 'I touch the future; I teach.' For me, too, it has been a pleasure to be a part of so many children's lives and see them mature into our future leaders.”

Marcia Gross • Arlington, Grades 2-3

“All children are individuals and important. An effective teacher has a crucial responsibility in nurturing and guiding the development of children's minds in order to touch the future. Deanna Beisser states: 'Teachers are like flowers: they spread their beauty throughout the world. Their love of learning touches the hearts of their students, who then carry that sense of wonder with them wherever they may go.' My hope and prayer is that I have made a difference in the lives of others.”

Faye Johnson • Glendover, Grade 3

“All children are very capable of learning. Each child is unique and learning will take place at varying rates with the use of developmentally-appropriate strategies and materials.”

Mike Seiler • Henry Clay, 9-12 Math and Computer Science

“One of my goals is to motivate my students to become life-long learners.”