- Tracy Huggins, Art Teacher, Pattison Elementary School, Milford

“ With her high expectations, I am continually in awe as to how she challenges all of her students (more than 75 of them) and adapts every lesson based on each student’s needs.”

-Tracy Huggins

Fifth grade mathematics teacher, Kate Schwerzler, is truly one of a kind! I have been honored to work with her for 15 years at Pattison Elementary School in Milford, Ohio. I have directly experienced and benefited from her exemplary concern, knowledge, and hard work for her students and fellow staff members. Throughout her 16 years at Pattison, she has consistently demonstrated kindness, empathy, and stability while keeping the elementary environment fun! With her high expectations, I am continually in awe as to how she challenges all of her students (more than 75 of them) and adapts every lesson based on each student’s needs.

Kate derives important details and spends countless hours creating engaging and creative lessons for her classes. With these personal touches and innovative approaches, she helps all students reach their full potential and grow their growth mindset!

She genuinely cares about the success of her students, her colleagues, and the school culture. You can always find her ready to step in to help with a team mindset, and she has proven to be one of the finest and calmest problem solvers I have ever met. She is driven to develop her skills as a teacher by trying new activities to help students understand math conceptually and make connections with their past work. One of my favorite lessons she completes with her students is the “Remainder Plays.” When learning about remainders and what happens to them in a math problem, students participate in whole-body learning in an outdoor classroom environment and perform and act out a theatrical play. Three different plots create various scenarios for students to discuss and problem-solve together.

Kate incorporates student collaboration and ownership daily and helps students gain confidence in math, emotional intelligence, and life skills. Staff and coworkers enjoy her company and teamwork because of her accountability, hard work, outgoing personality, and positive attitude. Because of all these examples, Kate Schwerzler is an asset to our school community, an exemplary educator, and deserves to be honored and recognized.

Photo: (l. to r.): Samantha Bens, Kate Schwerzler, Candice Spinelli.

Teachers Honor Teachers

The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation has launched a new program this fall inviting teachers to recognize a colleague they know is doing exceptional work in the classroom.

In the above post, Tracy Huggins expresses her admiration for fellow teacher, Kate Schwerzler. Thank you to both educators for your dedication to students and for taking the time to showcase what it means to deliver challenging, innovative, and student-centered lessons that result in powerful and deep learning.

Through the Teachers Honor Teachers Program, The Foundation is seeking Ohio public school teachers to share great things about a teaching colleague in an Ohio public school that ensures deep learning for students. If we choose to post your story, we will award $500 toward that teacher's classroom for their great work and $500 toward your classroom for honoring their excellence. Apply here.