Dave was voted "Teacher of the Year" by his peers at Cedar Heights Middle School. Next he will be considered for his district and beyond that, potentially, the state of WA!
CONGRATULATIONS!! You deserve it : )
COPY of his NOMINATION FORM (written by a colleague)
Dave has been a math teacher at Cedar Heights for the past 4 years. Dave makes such a difference, but most people don’t notice because they don’t see him in action. In the morning, if you enter the 900 hall when the students are moving to classes, you’ll find Dave watching and patrolling. Often he is talking to the kids, sometimes he’s singing, sometimes he’s dancing around. He brings smiles to so many faces; what a great way to start the day!
In the classroom, Dave uses a variety of methods to engage his students. I’ve been lucky enough to observe while he’s teaching. He pays close attention to formative assessment by going through the homework problems with the students, allowing students to work problems out on the board, through discussion, and through Exit Slips. He uses interesting tools on the Smartboard to engage the students and help them understand difficult concepts. Differentiation - he uses sports and stories to help the students understand concepts. I’ve even had students in my class begin to explain things to others using sports. Just yesterday, one of my students was confused about a Language Arts concept and one of Mr. Nydegger’s students (a student we have in common) used wrestling to explain the concept. The other student “got it!” I thought that was pretty impressive; he’s teaching students to teach!
Dave also coached basketball this year. Even though he has plenty to do with his own boys’ soccer teams he still found time to be at CH early to work with the kids. He loved challenging them and really did teach them respect. He has a special relationship with the kids and it is difficult to describe. They do respect him and they understand that he just wants them to succeed. They know that he cares and he wants them to push to the top!
As a colleague, Dave is the best. He’s always available to lend a hand or an ear. If I do something that he thinks is not particularly wise; he’ll tell me. If I need someone to talk to, he actually listens. If I ask for advice, he thinks about what would be best for me and he gives me his honest opinion (sometimes I don’t want to hear his honest opinion).
Dave has had many challenges this year, but he maintains his spirit. He never lets his worries affect his students or those around him. Dave absolutely deserves consideration for this wonderful award.
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