EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Students and staff at Wealthy Elementary School were so excited to surprise our next Teacher of the Week that they planned a celebration before the school day even started. 13 ON YOUR SIDE was there for the special moment.
After being surprised with the news that she’s our next Teacher of the Week, Amanda Werner said she was “incredibly flattered and a little overwhelmed.”
Wealthy Elementary School principal, Stephanie Olson, led efforts to plan the surprise and said, “I couldn’t think of anybody more deserving. I was so excited when I read your email.”
“I’m not a teacher, necessarily. I work in a school, and so, to be recognized in that way is really special,” said Werner.
She’s the speech pathologist at Wealthy Elementary and was inspired by her dad who also had a career in education.
“My dad was a teacher and became a middle school and elementary counselor. So, I knew I wanted to work in a school,” said Werner, before adding, “It was just kind of a career that I started and fell into and fell in love with.”
Principal Olson said, “She is phenomenal,” of Werner, and that she’s “really giving students that confidence to really communicate which is the foundation for building relationships and learning.”
“Helping kids grow in their confidence and their abilities to do that is something that’s needed and I’m happy to do that,” said Werner. Working as a speech pathologist, she said she’s able to see the students’ growth. “Some of our students I’ve worked with since they were two. So, to watch them over that amount of time is just such a gift.”
This surprise was just another gift, something she says everyone in education deserves.
“It’s really important to acknowledge people that our kids are with day in and day out that really truly care about their growth in education,” said Werner.
Olson told the 13 ON YOUR SIDE crew, “I am so grateful for you being here and giving us this opportunity to really highlight some phenomenal teachers and our support staff as well.”
“Wealthy Elementary is such a special place,” said Werner.
If you have someone you’d like to nominate as our next Teacher of the Week, just text the word “teacher” to 616-559-1310.
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