Elementary school teacher Rebecca Hart has garnered a Big Apple Award from the City of New York. Photo credit: Teachers Who Tutor NYC

The city of New York is very proud of their public school teachers. In fact, city leaders regularly honor exceptional educators with their annual Big Apple Awards. For the 2023-2024 school year, one of these exceptional educators was  Rebecca Hart, an elementary school teacher from Brooklyn. In fact, she is one of 15 exceptional teachers who have garnered a 2023-2024 Big Apple Award from the City of New York.

The honored educator teaches first grade at Brooklyn Arbor elementary, also known as PS 414, in Brooklyn. She has previously taught grades 2, 3, and 4. In a career that spans 10 years, she has taught seven of them in New York City. Prior to that, she taught or three years in Manatee County. When she is not in her classroom, Rebecca manages an after-school musical theater program for fourth and fifth grade students.

Rebecca earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Teaching from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, in 2013. She earns her Master’s degree in in Literacy Specialist from Teachers College of Columbia University in New York City in 2022.

The Big Apple Awards recognize and celebrate New York City teachers who inspire students to be their best selves, dream, and advocate for their future; model equitable learning with high expectations for the diverse and dynamic needs of all students; affirm students’ identities, unique gifts, and genius; enrich their school communities by partnering with families, community members, and community-based organizations. The recipients were chosen through a rigorous selection process that includes community nominations, principal recommendations, classroom visits, an interview, and a review by a board of judges. To learn more about the program and this year’s recipients, click on this link to Big Apple Awards.

Elementary school teacher Dana Andrews has been named the 2023 Outstanding Teacher of the Year by the Illinois state PTA. Photo credit: The Edwardsville Intelligencer

Congratulations are due to Dana Andrews, an exceptional elementary school teacher who has been named the 2023 Outstanding Teacher of the Year by the Illinois State Parent Teachers Association (PTA).

Dana teaches at Twin Echo Elementary School in Collinsville, Illinois. There she designs curriculum to meet the individual needs of each one of her young students. She uses frequent assessments to help her design instruction that is engaging and promotes individual growth. And the benefits of her strategies are evident to all. Her test scores rank among the highest in her district.

In her practice, Dana places a huge emphasis on relationships. “Her love for her students is evident in her everyday interactions, observes Dr. Julie Haake, Principal of Twin echo Elementary. “She is always cheerful, positive and sharing hugs when walking down the hallway. Her kind nature and warm personality have students gravitating towards her when they see her,” Dr. Haake continues.

To help foster communication between the school and the home, she establishes a folder for each student enrolled in her class. Every day she adds questions, comments, or notes of praise in the student logs, and then she sends the logs home. Each parent is encouraged to add their own questions or comments and then return the folder the next morning. In addition to the daily comments, Dana includes a weekly schedule with the current week’s list of events, plans, and important reminders.

In addition to the communication log, Dana makes daily posts on the classroom website. These posts include pictures of the class activities, updates on the students, and they are currently learning as a class. Furthermore, each week Dana messages parents individually to keep them updated.

Amazing work, Dana!

Educator Leslee Milch, left, received an award from CA State Senator Josh Newman for her dedication to her summer reading program. He named the teacher his “Citizen of the Month” for July, 2023 Photo credit: CA Senator Josh Newman

Very often dedicated educators who work tirelessly in the classrooms all year round continue to devote themselves to students, even on their summer break. This is certainly true of Leslee Milch, a kindergarten teacher from California who founded a summer reading program 25 years ago, and still dedicates her entire summer break to the enterprise. For her effort, she has been named a “Citizen of the Month” by CA Senator Josh Newman.

Leslee, a National Board Certified teacher, works Gilbert Elementary School in the Buena Park School District in Buena Park, California. Throughout her more than 30 years as an educator, she has consistently demonstrated a passion for fostering essential academic and social skills in her kindergarten students. Every day in the classroom where she often reads to and with her students, Leslee places a special emphasis on literacy.

One day 25 years ago, Leslee was inspired to continue her work beyond the end of the school year and help decrease learning loss during the summer. To further this goal, she established the “Read to Me” summer reading program. She began by meeting with students at George Bellis Park in Buena Park each week to read a story together and share a healthy snack. Since that first year, she has continued the program, so much so that “Read to Me” has become a well-known and cherished community institution. She started by reading to just ten students. Now, hundreds of students and their parents enjoy the free program each week.

For her efforts in the “Read to Me” program, Leslee has been named a “Citizen of the Month” for July, 2023, from California State Senator Josh Newman. Senator Newman represents the 29th Senate District.

To learn more about the “Read to Me” program, click on this link to Education News.