For the second year, a group of local businesses has collaborated to recognize local teachers for their outstanding contributions to the lives of students in our community.
Lance & Co. Jewelers, The Bakers Rack, Welborn Florist, Pure Barre, Face Forward, Legends, Studio Slant, Oasis Tanning Salon, Dream Copy Photography, The Earle and Excursions donated goods, discounts and services valued at $1,300 and accepted nominations from across the Owensboro/Daviess County community last fall. Organizers said 180 nominations were received.
Criteria for consideration included personal initiative, going above and beyond their obligations, innovative teaching methods, and encouraging students to achieve academic goals and success.
The second annual Distinguished Teaching Award grand prize was presented to Holly Phillips, a sixth-grade mathematics teacher at Burns Middle School, during a surprise ceremony at 3:45 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 25, attended by BMS faculty and staff.
“I just want to thank the local businesses for their support and encouragement,” Phillips said.
Phillips said the award was especially meaningful because she was nominated by several of her students. Their nomination essays included the following statements:
- Mrs. Phillips makes learning fun. She is very inspirational and so very positive.
- Mrs. Phillips is a great role model. She is always organized and on topic. She is energetic and is always on the go with ideas and plans to make sure we have a great day.
- Mrs. Phillips is the best teacher I have ever met and is like a friend to all of us. She loves her job, she cares for others and she would do anything for anyone. She goes above and beyond for her students. She helped me understand the problems of math. She will explain it in detail if you’re confused. She loves to teach kids math!
BMS Principal, Dane Ferguson, shared a quote by Ever Garrison: “A teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge and wisdom in the pupils.”
“That quote provides a small glimpse of what Holly Phillips does as a teacher,” Ferguson said. “Mrs. Phillips challenges her students to learn, retain and apply the knowledge they learn in her class, while inspiring her students to be magnets of curiosity – always looking for ways to grow and learn!”
In promoting the award program, organizers invited people across the community to nominate teachers who have touched their lives, saying: “Teachers help shape all generations. Those who work with our children have a challenging and laborious profession.”
