WESTERVILLE—It’s National Teacher Appreciation week and one Ohio teacher is getting some national attention after winning the Sanford Teacher Award.
Alcott Elementary School teacher Linda Amici won the award for the state of Ohio, along with $10,000.
- Westerville, Ohio teacher Linda Amici won the Sanford Teacher Award
- One person from each state is selected for the award
- The award recognizes those who inspire and use creative ways to help students learn
“For me it was just such an honor to know that wow what I'm doing is working...and people are noticing that and that's exciting," said Amici.
It's exciting now, because when she looks back, Amici remembers how she resisted the opportunity to become a teacher in her early years. She says it was partially because she struggled as a student to fully engage in class.
But what she struggled with eventually became her why—that is why she teaches fifth grade students today.
“As a learner, I really had to know the why and then when I knew the why and I understood the reason behind...I was all in, so I feel like I want to create that environment for the students. I want them to know the why...the big picture of why they need to learn this information," said Amici.
In the classroom, Amici focuses on helping students to use critical thinking skills while coming up with innovative solutions to issues.
She does it by creating project-based lessons that often have a global relevance or a local impact.
Often times that means bringing people from the outside, including city leaders, to hear the ideas her students have developed.
Now 16 years into teaching, Amici says all of this keeps the students engaged and willing to work hard.
“That kind of engagement is just so exciting for me because it means that they know that their work is purposeful and they're engaged and their all in to what they're doing."
Students say her positivity and creativity is what makes class so much fun.
As the state recipient of the Sanford Teacher Award, Amici says she’ll use the money to begin work on her doctorate as she continues to build future leaders.
Until that time, she’ll wait as the national winner for the award will be announced sometime later this year.
About the award:
- One person from each state is selected for the award
- Recognizes the nation’s top inspiring teachers
- Selects teachers who demonstrate enthusiasm, empathy, and warmth toward all students
- National winner receives $50,000