Huffer Up For Top TeacherLEESBURG - Another Warsaw Community Schools teacher is a top 10 finalist for Indiana Teacher of the Year.
Stacy Huffer, a fourth-grade teacher at Leesburg Elementary School, found out Monday she made it to the top 10. Her interview with the selection committee is Tuesday.
In 2008, Edgewood Middle School math teacher Lorinda Kline made it to the top 10. Kline wound up as the state's first runner-up.
"At first, I was really excited," said Huffer of being told Monday she was a top 10 finalist.
She also found out that a new part of the process is that she has to show student growth in her classroom with the use of data. She plans to demonstrate that by showing various test scores by her students, but it has added to her nervousness, she said. She said she's still excited.
She was selected as the Warsaw Community Schools Teacher of the Year in May. This year is Huffer's third nomination for Teacher of the Year. She's also received the International Reading Association Teacher of the Year Award.
For the state competition, Huffer has to put a portfolio together. In it, she has to talk about her background, the committees she's been on and her thoughts on what the important education issues and trends are today. She has to write what she would say if she were to be selected as the Indiana Teacher of the Year.
She must also include letters of support from WCS Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz, Leesburg Principal Randy Dahms and a teacher of her choice. She can also add accolades and photographs of things she's done with her students.
As long as she keeps it student centered, Huffer said she thinks it will be fine.
Huffer is from Warsaw. She received her degree from Indiana University in Bloomington. She did her student teaching and Cadet teaching at Leesburg Elementary School.
Now in her 17th year teaching at Leesburg, she taught first grade for 10 years. She has taught fourth grade for the last seven years.
"I like to see the changes with the kids," Huffer said Wednesday morning in an interview. "I like to see them grow, maturity wise. Their sense of humor. Just working with kids - they have such a fresh view on life."
She said her students are warriors. They come to school and function normally, even though their home life might be damaged. "We don't know sometimes what's going on," she said.
"I kind of see teaching as a ministry because I see kids with so many needs," Huffer said.
As the chair of the Bridges Team at Leesburg, she said she sees students with some serious problems. The Bridges Team works with students and their families to help resolve difficulties at home that may be affecting their time in the classroom. The team also may get services for the child if necessary.
Dahms said, "One of the great things about Ms. Huffer is she does a lot for the building outside of the classroom. We have a behavior team to make sure students get the help they need. She does a lot with that team."
Huffer is the Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports coach for Leesburg and Madison. PBIS is a systems change method that promotes positive behaviors in students. Strategies are developed that manage student behavior in and out of classroom settings.
She also serves as the student council sponsor at Leesburg.
Since making it to the top 10, Huffer said she's received "lots of kudos, lots of complimentary e-mail and support."
She's had others read her portfolio to make it as strong as possible. Kline also has been helpful to her with it.
"It's just been fun to be recognized," Huffer said. "It's humbling."
Asked if the recognition was a highlight of her career, Huffer said, "I have highlights with kids. We have student success stories that keep you going every day."
In the news, Huffer said there's seems to be teaching controversies every day. WCS, she said, is implementing new initiatives that are helping with student achievement, from assessments to teaching students things they need to know to be adults.
Dahms said Huffer more than impacts her classroom in preparing them for the future.
