Behind every great student is a great teacher. These teachers make learning fun by thinking outside the box and creating classroom experiences that resonate with their students. They serve many roles in their schools, as spelling coaches, school bee coordinators and judges; more often than not, they are motivators who encourage their students to be the best they can be. In the “Teacher Feature,” we celebrate these educators and their commitment to their students' education.
Today in the "Teacher Feature," we are highlighting Katherine Lilly, an English teacher for grades 6, 7 and 8 at Saint Theresa School in Honolulu, Hawaii. Saint Theresa School is a part of the Kama'aina Kids Hawaii State Spelling Bee program.
Roxanne Casiello, an executive administrative assistant for the diocese of Honolulu, nominated Ms. Lilly who serves as the spelling bee coordinator at Saint Theresa. Her work with the spelling bee each year complements the efforts that she champions in the classroom, which all focus on increasing her students' literacy and writing skills. Ms. Lilly is able to make these connections with her students due to her solid training background. Ms. Casiello explains that Ms. Lilly's lesson construction emphasizes delivery of concepts at the beginning and middle through to the end of each lesson.
In her "Teacher Feature" nomination form, Ms. Casiello stated that Ms. Lilly is "a young woman of tremendous character possessing the necessary attributes worthy of such distinction." From the positive example that she sets every day, her students learn the importance of integrity, kindness and compassion. These qualities allow her to connect with her students and gain their trust, an imperative skill to create real growth in the classroom. By earning her students' respect, Ms. Lilly is able to help them take great strides regarding their literacy and writing levels.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee would like to thank Ms. Lilly for her dedication to the spelling bee and other efforts to advance her students' literacy and writing abilities. These skills will enable her students to go far once they leave her classroom, and her positive example will send them out into the world as hardworking individuals of integrity.
If you would like to nominate an educator for an upcoming "Teacher Feature," fill out this brief survey about the teacher you wish to nominate.