The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty recently announced the recipients of its 2013 Lakota Educator of Excellence Awards, naming Amy Smith, 2nd grade teacher at Endeavor Elementary, and Dean Hume, journalism teacher at Lakota East High School, as this year’s honorees.
The awards were presented, along with the video above, at the Community Foundation’s annual dinner celebration.
The “Lakota Educator of Excellence Award” was created to provide an opportunity for the community to celebrate the hard-work, dedication and talent of local educators. The selection committee, consisting of Lakota administrators and community representatives, select the recipients from a pool of deserving nominees.
The Community Foundation provided information about Amy Smith:
Those who nominated Amy Smith indicate that there is no teacher more deserving than she to receive the “Educator of Excellence Award.” Amy is described as a compassionate and caring teacher who goes above and beyond for her students. She is often spotted at her students’ sporting events and dance recitals, and has been known to call parents at home after school hours just to update them on something their child accomplished that day at school. Amy works to ensure that each of her students’ needs are met, whether that means enhancing curriculum for students who excel in a particular area or setting aside individual time for a student who might be struggling. Beyond academics, Amy prepares her students for success in life by teaching them empathy and compassion for others, and by building their self-confidence. As one parent writes, “Amy is the kind of teacher that every parents hopes and prays their child will get. The heartfelt nomination letters are a testament to the lasting impact that Amy Smith has made on her students, their parents and the whole Endeavor Elementary community.”
In addition to the award, honorees are presented with a $2,000 grant for the implementation of a special project or program at the their school. For more information about the dinner, call 874-5450.
