InbrMay, Westlake Academy honored sixbrteachers for being finalists as Teacher of the Year at a special staff appreciation luncheon. Finalists included Nicole Bauer, Shannon Ward, Suzi New,brRhoda Hahn, Stephanie Alexander and Amanda Bunch.
Rhoda Hahn was the recipientbrof the 2015 Teacher of the Year award, the second teacher in the Academy'sbrhistory to be awarded this honor. Last year the tradition began with fourthbrgrade teacher Kat Calzini taking the honor.
A selection committeebrcoordinated by the Campus Leadership Team (CLT) selected the winner. The CLT isbrmade up of students, teachers, administration, and community members frombrWestlake and Keller. After submissions to the team from parents, students,brteachers and staff, the list was narrowed to six nominees.
The selection committeebrmakes their decision based on several criteria including teaching 21st centurybrskills, using new competencies graduates need, instilling InternationalbrBaccalaureate (IB) values, classroom atmosphere, the culture of how a teacherbrinsures students to be good learners, and knowledge the teacher has in theirbrrespective area of expertise.
Hahn received a plaque tobrremember this honor, and was awarded with $1,500 to use for personal orbrprofessional development from the academy's parent-teacher organization, the WAbrHouse of Commons. At the luncheon, quotes from students, parents and teachersbrabout all of the finalists were placed on the centerpiece of each table:
“Ms. Hahn quickly becamebrmy favorite teacher! I am so glad I was able to get her as a teacher this yearbrbecause she really helps me. I can't wait for her classes!” a student wrote.br“Ms. Hahn's teaching style is fun, fresh yet passionate. She drivesbraccountability and makes learning challenging yet fun, inquisitive and mindbrexpanding,” are sentiments from a parent.