We received so many excellent nominations in this year’s Teacher of the Year contest that we have decided to honor some additional teachers. We are awarding Read Live seats and One Minute Reader books to the nine other nominees.
Meet our Teacher of the Year Finalists!
Sandy Wallace, Reading Specialist: Runner-Up
Cedar Springs Elementary School, House Springs, MO
“I am reminded of the Teddy Roosevelt quote: ‘Speak softly [and] carry a big stick.’ That’s just what Sandy Wallace did when she introduced the teachers, staff, and students to the Read Naturally program. How do you ask seasoned teachers to consider a different approach or idea, when you are new to their staff? But as quiet and unassuming as she is, Sandy knew she needed to share her prior Read Naturally experience and student successes with [Cedar Springs Elementary]. She believed Read Naturally would make a difference.” — Donna Potashnick in nomination of Sandy Wallace
Since introducing Read Naturally to her school, Ms. Wallace has become a district-wide trainer and is currently using Read Live with great success. She is known by colleagues as a “never-ending resource” and takes great pleasure in her students’ achievements. “They are so proud of their accomplishments,” she said. Ms. Wallace is always looking for ways to keep parents involved and is looking forward to incorporating One Minute Reader into her repertoire.
Krista Rushlow, Classroom Teacher: Finalist
Oxford Elementary School, Oxford, MI
“Reading is a part of everyday learning in Krista’s classroom—reading aloud, reading in small groups, reading with adults, reading in pairs—you name it, she does it. She also brings her students to the media center on a regular basis and helps them to find ‘just right’ books. Students in her class develop a love for books and a confidence in their abilities to read.” — Cynthia Seinar in nomination of Krista Rushlow
Ms. Rushlow is committed to finding creative ways to ensure her students read as much as possible—even over the summer. She developed a program in which students keep track of the number of minutes they read over the summer. Students who meet the goal of reading for 1,000 minutes attend a special assembly and receive an award. The public library also recognizes these students in a community newsletter. In just a few years, this program has grown from about 50 students to over 200. In her classroom, Ms. Rushlow has used Read Naturally for many years. She began using Read Live this year and has seen great results and enthusiasm from her students.
Megan Quinlan, ELL Teacher: Finalist
Fuller Middle School, Framingham, MA
“Megan Quinlan is an innovative educator who has helped close the achievement gap at Fuller Middle School. Ms. Quinlan was a member of the school leadership team last year and planned the design of a literacy lab. This year, the literacy lab is proving to be a highly effective program to support the needs of all students.” — Sara Hamerla in nomination of Megan Quinlan
Ms. Quinlan collected data on the progress of her Read Naturally students and used it to encourage other teachers to implement Read Naturally with English language learners. She always implements research-based best practices, uses assessment to inform instruction on a daily basis, and has been an important influence in both the classroom and the larger school community. Ms. Hamerla believes Ms. Quinlan’s positive example will draw attention to the importance of supporting English language learners.
Jean Weinfurter, Special Education Teacher: Finalist
LaVorgna Elementary School, Winchester, CA
“I was trained in 1999. I had to drive all the way from Temecula to San Diego all by myself, fighting the traffic. The following day, I marched into my principal’s office and told her all about this wonderful reading program. The moment I found out that there was special funding for reading programs, I placed the order and got a complete set. Now Read Naturally is on the computers in every elementary site. Talk about going viral!” — Jean Weinfurter
Ms. Weinfurter has used Read Naturally ME, SE, and Read Live and has trained other teachers in these programs. She delights in the progress her students make while working through the stories. “Looking at their faces light up is absolutely priceless!” she said. According to Kelly Ortiz, who nominated Ms. Weinfurter, “Ms. Weinfurter has touched many students’ lives through her 26 years of teaching and also leaves a mark on many families’ lives with her genuine care for the well-being of all her students.”
Beth Szabo, Classroom Teacher: Finalist
Travis Elementary School, Travis AFB, CA
“My school is over 90% military dependents. These students come from all around the world and have attended public, private, and Department of Defense schools. Read Naturally is a program that levels the playing field for students. I help to place them in the correct level and monitor their progress. Because of my morning reading class, students are making growth in reading fluency and feeling more confident about their reading.” — Beth Szabo
Ms. Szabo has trained many teachers to use Read Naturally and has advocated for its expansion so that more students have access. Some of her students may stay only a year before a military parent receives orders to move to the next base. She uses Read Naturally because it “allows a student to jump in at any time of the year and be successful.”
Becky Block, Special Education Teacher: Finalist
Vowles Elementary School, Mount Pleasant, MI
“The joy I have when I see my students’ improvements is priceless. My success comes from seeing the progress and happiness my students and their families experience.” — Becky Block
When Becky Block moved to her current school district, Read Naturally ME was the first program she worked to acquire. Through extensive grant writing, she was able to provide the program to all of her students. Ms. Block has used Read Naturally for nine years and has consistently seen progress. “Each and every student I have had in my program has experienced a great deal of success using Read Naturally,” she said. ”They are excited to come to my classroom and truly love to see the progress they are making.”
Danielle Franc, Title I Teacher: Finalist
Rogers Primary School, Glenshaw, PA
“I love these kids as if they were my own and will do whatever possible to help them garner an education. As we all know, education is what helps make a future brighter.” — Danielle Franc
Danielle Franc dedicates her own time and resources to implementing Read Naturally programs. Currently using Read Live, Ms. Franc believes it is “one of the best interventions we have ever had at our school.” Ms. Franc entered the Teacher of the Year contest so that she could expand her school’s materials and continue to help her students succeed. “These are the things that will make a difference to my students,” she said of the prize materials.
Cissy Kennamer, Reading Specialist: Finalist
Union Grove Elementary School, Union Grove Road, AL
“I’ve attended workshops where I paid out of my own pocket just to train. I wanted our school to have all levels, so I found a business to donate the money and now we have all levels on the computer. Woo-hoo! I’ve never been much on programs, things come and go, but I’ve seen such tremendous success with Read Naturally products. I’m a firm believer. . . the products work!” — Cissy Kennamer
Ms. Kennamer has found ways to implement Read Naturally SE and Word Warm-ups despite a limited budget. Since beginning in Read Naturally, her students have experienced remarkable gains. She loves sharing her experience and student data with other teachers and encouraging them to use Read Naturally.
Holli Ruckman, Reading Specialist: Finalist
Whittemore Prescott Middle School, Whittemore, MI
“Mrs. Ruckman has invested countless hours of her personal time to implement Read Naturally with struggling readers. Mrs. Ruckman works tirelessly to increase the literacy of students in our middle school.” — Cathy Pruder in nomination of Holli Ruckman
Holli Ruckman identifies at-risk students and connects them with the appropriate interventions. She has taken the time to learn Read Naturally well and has successfully implemented it in her middle school. Ms. Ruckman has encouraged the elementary school to adopt Read Naturally as well because she believes in the difference it can make.
