Writer / Peggy Georgi
Hamilton Heights School Corporation is pleased to announce that Emily Beechler has been selected as its Teacher of the Year. Beechler, who serves as the Media Specialist at Hamilton Heights Middle School, was among four outstanding professionals from the school district nominated as the top pick for their building for 2013-14.
Beechler will be among those individuals from throughout the state in consideration for Indiana’s Teacher of the Year Award and will represent Hamilton Heights at the Teacher of the Year awards ceremony in October.
In addition to Beechler, this year’s building nominees include Andrea Sayers, 2nd grade teacher, Hamilton Heights Primary School; Natalie Gasser, 5th grade teacher, Hamilton Heights Elementary School; and Conita Maynard, speech pathologist, Hamilton Heights High School.
Beechler began her career at Heights as a 5th grade teacher in 2000. After three years she moved to 6th grade English and became the English department head at the middle school. She held that position for six years, and in 2009, became the media specialist. “I have been doing this job for five years and I absolutely love it,” says Beechler of the role that allows her the unique opportunity to work with all students each year. “I get to see them grow and mature as students, as readers and as people. Few staff members get that chance. I also get to work with almost every staff member, from co-teaching, to planning, to providing support.”
In addition to her role as the media specialist and the English department head, Beechler is the Student Government sponsor, the Media Club advisor, assistant coach for the Spell Bowl and Academic teams, and co-chair of the school improvement committee.
“Emily is a problem-solver, an innovator, and a dynamic member of our Middle School family,” explained Elizabeth Wright, Principal, Hamilton Heights Middle School. “Her enthusiasm, love, and passion for education have hardly a rival on our staff…and we have an incredible faculty here at HHMS.”
Wright went on to say that Beechler does not work or serve for awards or accolades, but simply to inspire and impact all those with whom she comes in contact each day. She strives to create a warm and inviting place for not only students but for the rest of the faculty, as well.
One cannot walk by her without her flashing her contagious smile. She is able to push students out of their comfort zone and achieve accomplishments beyond their expectations. She also takes great pride in working with staff members to manage successes on tasks. She brings the best out in everyone she is around. Not only does she make people want to become better students and teachers, but also a better person overall.
Dr. Derek Arrowood, Hamilton Heights School Corporation Superintendent, said Emily Beechler represents what is great about the entire HHSC faculty. “She demonstrates passion for student success daily, is innovative and knowledgeable in her content area, and truly enjoys making a positive difference in the lives of our students. Emily is a great representative of all that is great about our outstanding teaching staff.”
“I am so touched to be nominated,” added Beechler. “I love this school system and am flattered to be representing Heights. The students, staff and families here are my extended family and to be able to represent them is an amazing honor.”
2013-14 Teacher of the Year Building Nominees
Andrea Sayers:
Andrea Sayers has been with Hamilton Heights School Corporation since she graduated from college in 1997. Sixteen of those years were spent as a 2nd grade teacher. She just completed her first year as a 3rd grade teacher at Hamilton Heights Elementary. “Andrea embraced many of the targeted instructional strategies that were presented last year and embedded them in her daily instruction,” said Keith Ecker, Principal, Hamilton Heights Primary School.
“Andrea maintained a brisk-paced learning environment that kept her students on track and enabled her to use every available moment to promote student learning. She worked diligently to meet the needs of all of her students—from those struggling to achieve the second grade standards to the high performing students who needed a challenge at a much higher level.”
“I truly love teaching at Heights,” said Andrea Sayers. “The staff and students are second to none. Teaching from my heart is my passion. I believe you must first build a bond with your students each year and then everything else will fall into place. What a blessing to be able to be a small part of their lives. She also went on to recognize her sisters, Robin, Heather, Anna, Angela, and Beth, and brother, Alex.
She continued, recognizing her co-workers: “Thank you for inspiring me to become a better teacher each and every day.” Your passion for teaching the students at HHPS is breathtaking. By working together, we were able to share this passion for education by providing an outstanding educational experience for all of our second grade kiddos. YOU are truly an amazing group of educators.”
Conita Maynard:
Hamilton Heights Speech Pathologist Conita Maynard always had a personal connection with her students. Maynard spent the last 15 years at Heights, where she worked with her students one on one on their individual speaking weaknesses with a great deal of care for the students and their own struggles. “She was a master when it came to personal connections, and it was evident every day she was here,” said Jarrod Mason, Principal, Hamilton Heights High School. “This level of personal connection was probably the single-most effective tool she possessed when working with students.”
“I was surprised and honored beyond words to be selected to represent our building with so many amazing and capable educators and staff at the high school,” said Maynard, who has since retired with some 50 years in the field of education. “I am flattered to be among such an incredible group being considered to represent Heights at the state level.”
Natalie Gasser:
Fifth-grade teacher Natalie Gasser was one of two teachers who received a perfect score of 4.0 on the “RISE Rubric” and she was one of two teachers who received a perfect score of 4.0 on the “Individual Growth Model” data. “Just into her second year, Natalie has quickly become a facilitator of student learning by creating well-planned, engaging, and interesting lessons and experiences for students,” said Ken Watson, Principal, Hamilton Heights Elementary School.
“Natalie employs a number of highly effective strategies, including: technology integration, student collaboration, gradual release of responsibility, differentiated instruction, higher order thinking, and frequent checks for understanding. Natalie accepted the assignment of grade chair and did an excellent job leading her team, facilitating her grade level PLCs, and working cooperatively with the administration.”
“I am so honored to be nominated for Teacher of the Year and to represent Hamilton Heights Elementary School,” said Gasser, who strives to make each day count for her students and to encourage lifelong learning. “I could not have done it without the support of my amazing co-workers, administration, students, and parents.”
