Points of Pride
2015-17 All-Academic Invitation2015-16 Michigan Affiliate Awards
2014-16 Camp Infinity2010-17 Web Design Contest
2013 Specs Howard Media Educator of the Year |
For the past three years, I have been invited as the teacher to support one of our most intelligent students at the All-County Academic banquet. Obviously, I am easily able to connect with the nerdy kid. Thank you to Natalie Stepanenko (2017), Madison Werthmann (2016), and Caroline Jankowski (2016) for giving me the opportunity to support you in this way.
I won the 2016 NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Educator Award based on my commitment to encourage young women's aspirations in computing.
My students also have received recognition. Caroline won the 2015 Michigan Regional NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing. Caitlin was selected as a 2015 Michigan Affiliate Award Runner-up and 2016 Michigan Regional NCWIT Award winner along with Madison. Hannah was named a 2017 Runner-up and Olivianne was named a 2016 Runner-up. It is such an honor to help students believe in their own talents. The teaching profession is not about me, but how we can push students to reach their dreams. To learn more about NCWIT, visit www.ncwit.org.
Students represented Lake Shore at the 14th, 15th, and 16th annual AT&T, MACUL, TRIG Technology Showcase in the Capitol. Senator Bieda and Representative Roberts stopped by to show their support. Through a tour, we learned about the different branches of government and watched a live session in the Senate. Providing opportunities like this is the recipe for inspiring our students. Read more about this experience here. During the summers, I had the opportunity to work at Camp Infinity, a technology camp for middle school girls. This camp, held at the University of Detroit Mercy, Wayne County Community College, and Wayne State University immersed the girls into different technology subjects such as web design, robotics, and Alice. I had so much fun showing them how-to build websites; They were eager to develop quality sites using their own topic. With only four days to create their website, I was thoroughly impressed by their use time management to finish successfully. The Michigan Council of Women in Technology has created a themed website contest for girls. Each fall, my web design students enter the contest in hopes of winning the top cash prize. Here are the results from the past six years: 2017: Power: How I Use My Strengths For Good! (6/24 finalists / 10 teams of participants) Advanced: Jada Baldwin and Hannah Watkins, Honorable Mention, $75, and Samantha Bennett and Madeline Henze, Honorable Mention, $75. Beginners: Rylie Duggan and Stephanie Tripp, 1st place, $400. TOTAL: $550 2016: Love Those Pets (6/24 finalists / 15 participants) Advanced: Natalie Stepanenko, 1st place, $750 and Comerica Bank internship, Jada Baldwin and Hannah Watkins, 2nd place, $500. Beginners: Cecilia DuPont and Mackenzi Steinmetz, 1st place, $400, Megan Ritz, 2nd place, $300, Mackenzie Maison and Angela Maslanka, 3rd place, $200. TOTAL: $2,150 *Second year where school districts were limited to 6 finalists. 2015: Food, Glorious Food (5/24 finalists / 14 participants): Advanced: Caitlin Beirne and Olivianne James Honorable Mention $75 Beginners: Hannah Watkins 1st place/$400, Madison Werthmann 2nd place/$250. Random Drawing Winner: Rhiannon Chisholm $25 Amazon. TOTAL: $750 *First year where school districts were limited to 6 finalists. 2014: Repurposing: The Ultimate in Recycling (12/24 finalists / 20 participants): Advanced: Caitlin Beirne and Jessica Old 2nd place/$500; Jackie Kwapisz and Brooke Glass Honorable Mention/$75; Gabby Loprieato and Megan Kovalcik Honorable Mention/$75. Beginners: Kara Roelofson 2nd place/$250; Hailey Krause and Divine Mathes 3rd place/$200; Payton Beigler and Rachel Felder Honorable Mention/$50. Random Drawing Winner: Lillan Kwapisz $50 Amazon. TOTAL: $1,200 2013: Ancestors: OMG! (11/24 finalists / 26 participants): Advanced: Jackie Kwapisz Honorable Mention/$75. Beginners: Jessica Old 1st place/$400; Savannah Olesky 3rd place/$200; Alex Chisholm Honorable Mention/$50. TOTAL: $725 2012: Survival: Lost in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (11/24 finalists / 16 participants): Advanced: Chloe Jennings and Jordan Kolodziejski 2nd place/$500; Eva D'Ann Smith Honorable Mention/$75. Beginners: Jackie Kwapisz 1st place/$400; Sarah McCarthy Honorable Mention/$50; Dasha Jones Honorable Mention/$50. TOTAL: $1,075 2011 Genie in a Bottle: 3 Wishes (12/24 finalists / 13 participants): Advanced: Eva Smith, 2nd place/$500; Christina Denomme, 3rd place/$300; Lisa Nye, Honorable Mention/$75. Beginners: Jacqueline Buffa & Brooke Dombrow 1st place/$400; Mallory Burr 2nd place/$250. TOTAL: $1,525 2010 Time Capsule (2/12 finalists / 3 participants): Eva Smith, Honorable Mention/$50 TOTAL: $50 In November 2013, I scored high enough on ten Career and Technical Education components to earn National Board Certification. There are only 384 teachers that have achieved this status in Michigan, 18 newly certified, and only 1 other in Saint Clair Shores. By earning proficiency through videotaped lessons, reflective essays, and written tests, I have accomplished this rigorous step to prove that my teaching abilities are of sound quality.
In May 2013, a high school student nominated me for this honor. Close to 100 educators were nominated from Macomb County, but Specs Howard narrowed the list down to 10 after reading the submissions. I won the title of honorable mention which awarded me with a Chromebook. I am happy that students appreciate their varied learning experiences within my classroom. |
2013 Lake Shore High School
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In February 2013, I was named Lake Shore High School's Teacher of the Year. This award is based on my mission and passion, authenticity, leadership, high level of consciousness, teaching style, motivational expertise, instructional effectiveness, lifelong learner, and community focused. I began teaching in this district in 2007 and feel that I have left a positive, lasting impression at Lake Shore. |
2012 B&N Favorite Teacher
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Senior Joshua Allan wrote an essay sharing how I have influenced his life and why he appreciates me. This essay was submitted to the Barnes and Noble in Shelby Township. Thanks to his quality publication, I was selected as the winner for the high school division of their My Favorite Teacher Contest. In April 2012, I was invited to a congratulatory ceremony where a certificate and set of literary novels were given to me. |
2012 Outstanding CMU Alumni |
In January 2012, I was named Central Michigan University's Outstanding Young Alumni. This award is presented to someone who has graduated within the past 5 years, who has gone above and beyond in the community and workplace. I am humbled to be selected for such a fine award! |
2011 Teacher of the Year |
Over $15,200 in technology equipment will be ready for student use thanks to the Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning's donation prize. I was named Michigan's 2011 Pre-K-12's Technology Teacher of the Year and am excited for the high-end gadgets that will fill my classroom this fall. Giving students the opportunity to use current technologies will enable them to be more prepared and have better successes in college and the world of work. |
2011 IEF Presentation |
The required ninth grade course, Career/Technology Foundations, will be highlighted in July for its career portfolios lesson. I will present several portfolios in the Innovative Education Forum located Redmond, Washington. This lesson was a first-round selection. Electronic portfolios have certainly increased job opportunities for our Lake Shore students! |
2011 Community Partnership |
Advanced Web Design partnered with Lakeshore Lanes to make a website for the owner, Mr. LaHood, which included creating original graphics in Photoshop Elements 9 and designing a look and layout with HTML and CSS coding. Marie Scheppman and Katie Verner's winning website will be live for all customers to view and this team will have a feature article written by me and published in the popular journal, Leading and Learning with Technology. |
2010-17 PBIS Chair |
I am part of the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports committee at Lake Shore. It is our responsibility to create a rewards system and character education lesson for our students. This bulletin board, which can be spotted next to the counseling office, shares with students that higher education is important to teachers. A Shorian of the Month program was developed in 2013 to celebrate our students. |
Student Superfans |
I am so blessed to be in a profession where I have the opportunity to work with teenagers all day. With guidance, support, and a chance for the students to take initiative and be creative, they have demonstrated their zest for academics within my classroom. Students often show up before school just to chat with me. I have also taught a Special Education Computers course and participated in facilitating the Special Olympics. This experience has strengthened my empathy for others. I enjoy these conversations and feel that these relationships will continue to bloom in the future, too. |