CLEVELAND — It was hard to tell who was more excited — the teacher or her students.

“I am just totally blown away, surprised and so honored,” said Lesley Petrie, one of 10 teachers awarded with the Excellence in Teaching award by the Cleveland schools. “I don’t think of this as a career. This is my life’s purpose,” she said. Petrie has been teaching for 23 years, the last four at Buhrer Dual Language Academy.

Cleveland teachers, The George Gund Foundation, and the Cleveland foundation went around the district and surprised 10 unsuspecting teachers in their classrooms to let them know they were recipients.

What You Need To Know

  • Ten teachers throughout the district were honored with the award which recognizes teachers who demonstrate instructional expertise, creativity and innovation in their classrooms

  • It’s given to those who make learning engaging, and relevant for students and set a standard for all teachers

  • Petrie said she’s grateful to all the teachers she’s learned from throughout her career

Dr. Warren Morgan, Cleveland Schools CEO, said this is one of his favorite days of the year.

“They truly deserve it. They work hard every day. Teaching is a thankless job. This is the smallest token of appreciation we can do,” Morgan said.

Petrie’s students were just as excited.

“I hope she’s good with this prize. I hope she feels the same emotion I have,” Jireh Molina said placing his hand over his heart. Molina is Petie’s fifth-grade student.

Ten teachers throughout the district were honored with the award which recognizes teachers who demonstrate instructional expertise, creativity and innovation in their classrooms; it’s given to those who make learning engaging, and relevant for students and set a standard for all teachers.

The 10 teachers who received the award were:

  • April Saxon: 5th grade at Nathan Hale School 
  • LaTrice Shields: Physical Education at Warner Girls' Leadership Academy
  • Katherine Moskal: 1st through 3rd grade at Tremont Montessori
  • Leslie Petrie: 5th grade at Buhrer Dual Language 
  • Anthony Simeone: 9th through 12th grade at School of One 
  • Zachary Switzer: 9th through 12th grade at John Marshall School of Information Technology
  • James Musser: 11th grade at Rhodes College & Career Academy 
  • Lindsay May: 11 through 12th grade at Cleveland High School for Digital Arts 
  • Jennifer Sindyla: 4th grade at Stonebrook-White Montessori Campus 

Petrie said she’s grateful to all the teachers she’s learned from throughout her career.

“Being able to take bits and pieces from strong teachers and make it my own,” she said.

But there’s one main reason for all she puts into it: “I do it for the students,” Petrie said.