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Gail Becker, Columbine Elementary, is an elementary school teacher who brings her passion for science and social studies into the classroom. Due to Gail’s efforts, Columbine Elementary has a newly created science lab which introduces students to the very latest technologies. She isn’t merely teaching the “how-to’s” of science, she is helping the students develop a sense of wonder and curiosity. She gives them the tools needed to discover the answers on their own. Gayle has actively supported the MESA program for the last nine years. In fact, her devotion to teaching was instrumental as hers was the FIRST elementary school MESA program in the St. Vrain Valley and in the State of Colorado!!
Gail has encouraged multitudes of business members to share their passions and expertise with the students. Recent experts include individuals from NOAA and Ball Aerospace. She engages students through classroom experiments such as those on static electricity and extracting DNA samples. Her contagious enthusiasm reaches other school staff, students, parents, and community members.
Gail teaches fourth-and fifth-grade science and social studies and was nominated by parent and school volunteer Tanya Gumeson.
Congratulations to Columbine Elementary’s Gail Becker – a 2009 Spotlight Award Recipient!
Julie Constantine, Frederick High School, is a teacher who is able to take into account her student’s diverse personalities and strengths and allow them each to shine as integral parts of a MESA (Math Engineering Science Achievement) team.
Julie prepares students for the future by modeling for them how to look for and find one another’s gifts and putting those strengths into action. She shows her students an attitude of perseverance. As an example, when the robotics team, which she advices for MESA, received their kit months late, their team became a long shot to even complete the project, let alone participate in the regional competition. They could have easily thrown in the towel. But under this recipient’s guidance, the team hunkered down. They put in the extra hours necessary to succeed. And succeed they did! Their perseverance paid off ~ the robotics team won the tournament and will be participating in the World competition in Atlanta!
Julie has an open door policy for students and parents which goes well beyond normal classroom hours. As one parent stated, “She has made herself constantly available to parents, even on weekends and with late night phone calls.” Julie has successfully broken down that “unseen” barrier that often times exists between parents and teachers. This teacher’s entire energy is devoted to her students and each child she encounters is better for it.
Julie teaches science and coaches Frederick’s MESA team and was nominated by parent Tami Charlton.
Congratulations to Frederick High School’s Julie Constantine - a 2009 Spotlight Award Recipient!
Sally Goerner, Sunset Middle School, is a middle school teacher who has embraced the use of technology in helping kids to explore the world of Language Arts.
Students have the opportunity to see, first hand, that Language Arts can be more than simply reading and writing. Sally has engaged her student’s with the use of pod casts and blogging; and by having them publish their works on the world wide web for feedback.
Sally has connected with not only her classroom students but with the entire student body. She has committed her time and energy outside of regular classroom hours to provide creative outlets and opportunities for students. She is the sponsor of the school yearbook and has initiated a Poetry Reading Night. Additionally, Sally has started a hugely successful Drama Club and has recently orchestrated the very well received school musical - Seussical Jr.
Sally connects with the students on many levels. It is because of that connection that students are receptive to her pushing them to reach their personal bests. In a follow-up question to her nomination for the Encore Award, this teacher related, “It is really the little moments of connection I have with students throughout the day that gives me great joy, as they make discoveries about who they are as readers, writers, and who they want to be in the world.”
Sally teaches 6th grade language arts and was nominated by parent Sally Maydew.
Congratulations to the 2009 Spotlight Award recipient from Sunset Middle School - Sally Goerner!
Bob Reid, Niwot Elementary, is an elementary school teacher who has whole-heartedly embraced the use of technology in his classroom.
By using current technology, Bob is able to successfully engage his students, moving them to a new level of learning. Students thoroughly love the Smart Room technology. By using “clickers” and the interactive pen in class, his students are encouraged to reach beyond their comfort zones.
Bob’s commitment to using the Smart Room technology extends beyond his classroom walls. He welcomes the opportunity to train other teachers and staff on the use of a Smart Room. His detailed presentation to the Parent Teacher Advisory Council was instrumental in the PTAC outfitting two additional classrooms with Smart Rooms.
Bob’s dedication to both his profession and to his students is extraordinary and heart-warming. It is a generosity of spirit that is felt by parents and students, alike. This teacher recently had his students write a non-fiction essay on a topic of their own choosing. His impact on students can be summed up in what one of his students decided upon for a topic, “Why Mr. Reid is a GREAT teacher”.
Bo teaches fifth-grade and was nominated by parent volunteer Carolyn Clement.
Congratulations to the 2009 Spotlight Award recipient from Niwot Elementary - Bob Reid!
Richard Martyr, Longmont High School, is a high school teacher whose personal motto seems to be “excellence is expected” and has his students thanking him for setting the bar so high. Students routinely will tell you that his classes are probably the “most difficult” that they have ever taken - but they will also tell you that his classes are the most worthwhile.
Dick holds a PhD in Biochemistry and truly shares not only his knowledge of science but his understanding of it as well. His thorough, understandable explanations of AP Chemistry led one of his former students to be able tutor her college dorm floor in Chemistry! He offers study sessions before all exams. The sessions sometimes run late into the night. Whatever time is needed, is given. The desire to ensure that each student have a complete understanding of the concepts is his sole motivation.
It can’t be stated better than the sentiment expressed by one of his students who stated, “He never talks down to us, he respects us and we respect him, no one would ever act up in his class, they all bring their “A” game. We would do anything for him.” It sounds like this teacher would also do anything for his students.
Dick teaches physical science, honors physical science and chemistry, and Advanced Placement chemistry and was nominated by parent and community activist Jane Wolford.
Congratulations to a 2009 Spotlight Award recipient from Longmont High School, Richard Martyr!
To read about the 2008 Spotlight Award recipients, click here.
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