French teacher and Renaissance advisor Kacey Schlotz was awarded Teacher of the Year, standing amongst nominees including Language Arts teachers Emily Cissi, Jennifer Perone, Science teachers Sarah Moonier, Laura Ney, P.E teacher Chris Hohlt, and librarian Margaret Sullivan.
This year the school chose to select this award differently, using voting from peer teachers and breaking it down in groups, Schlotz said.
“They did [the voting] a little different this year where your colleagues nominate you to be in the running, and they had a first nomination vote and then the top three went onto the final nomination, and it was Mrs. Sullivan and Ms. Hohlt [with me in top three],” Shclotz said.
While in the running Schlotz also said she didn’t know what to expect but is grateful for this award.
“It feels amazing especially to have been nominated alongside so many prestigious teachers. I’ve been nominated in the past couple of years and it’s always so impressive to reach all of the nominations of the other teachers so to have won just feels very special.” Schlotz said.
French teacher Michelle Bunyard said Schlotz is very deserving of the award because of her dedication and ability to create a fun environment for all.
“She goes above and beyond in everything that she does and I think that sums up the nomination. She puts thought and care into everything she does and personally we get along so well and that makes working together fun,” Bunyard said.
Schlotz is one to make all students feel welcome and comfortable while still teaching and is much deserving of this award, AP French student McKenzie McClanahan said.
“Schlotz seriously becomes like a second mom in AP French. She’s always trying to get to know us, more about where we work, our hobbies, and getting us talking about our families. She always tries to make the classroom setting feel more like a home or big hangout where we talk in French. She definitely deserves Teacher of the Year because she genuinely takes an interest in each student and tries to figure out specific ways to help them,” McClanahan said.
