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.
It's time for another "Teacher Feature," and this week we are highlighting the efforts of Susan Speicher, a fourth-grade teacher at Albany Elementary School in Albany, Indiana. Albany Elementary School is a part of the Ball State University - WIPB-TV Spelling Bee program.
Joe Schmaltz, the principal at Albany Elementary School, nominated Ms. Speicher for the Bee's "Teacher Feature" because she works hard every year as her school's spelling bee coordinator to ensure their spelling bee program runs smoothly and makes a lasting impact of the students involved in it. As the coordinator and pronouncer for the Albany Elementary spelling bee, Ms. Speicher oversees all of the little details that make up a school spelling program, including providing practice lists to students, purchasing t-shirts and providing awards and incentives for every student who participates. This level of organization and care is one example of how Ms. Speicher, a veteran teacher, continues to have a profound impact on her students and the rest of the staff.
However, Mr. Schmaltz is quick to point out that "she is truly a cheerleader and supporter for all students, even if they don't participate" in the spelling bee. "Spelling is just one of her passions; mostly she just loves to help kids be successful!" he told us. One direct result of Ms. Speicher's involvement with the spelling bee is the development of her after-school program, Albany Children's Theater. When she realized how much spelling success relied on handling the pressures of standing up in front of a crowd, she founded the "ACT" program to help students gain confidence performing and speaking in public. The program has seen tremendous growth: now over 50% of the school's fourth- and fifth-grade students are involved, and the impact on students' confidence levels is obvious.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee would like to thank Ms. Speicher for recognizing that success in a spelling bee requires so much more than knowing the correct letters of a word in the correct order; it involves being confident and poised in public speaking situations and having a good understanding of the English language. Through the spelling bee and her after-school program, Ms. Speicher is making a positive impact on the students of Albany Elementary School.
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.