Williams named Teacher of the Year (05/10/06)

Between hugs, tears and a standing ovation, Susan Williams was named Teacher of the Year by the Portland Wal-Mart Tuesday at General Shanks Elementary School.

Williams, a special needs teacher who has served Jay School Corporation for nearly 30 years, received a $100 gift card to Wal-Mart to buy supplies for her classroom and the school has received a $1,000 grant.

“I don’t think I have ever been speechless,” said Williams, “but this just really took me off guard.”

Williams, who was nominated by a student and his mother, has been credited with working tirelessly both during school and after school hours to help her students achieve success, and organized a parent group to help parents with children with special needs.

Nominations were reviewed by a committee of Wal-Mart associates.

“She’s just so dedicated and she always has the child in focus,” said Jo Willard, director of special needs education for Jay Schools. “She never takes her eyes off the kids.”

The announcement was made Tuesday to coincide with National Teacher’s Day.

“We appreciate all the teachers in the corporation, but this is your day to celebrate,” Superintendant of Jay Schools Barbara Downing told Williams.

General Shanks Elementary School principal Michael Eads said he was notified of the honor several weeks ago and had to keep the secret.

“Teachers even sent students down to the office (to figure out what the assembly was for) thinking we would have a weak moment and crack but we didn’t!” Eads teased the students before the announcement.

“She didn’t have a clue,” he said later.

Williams said she hasn’t yet begun to think about how to use the grant, but said the gift card will go quickly, as there are always things she wants to purchase to use in the classroom.

“If I won the lottery tomorrow, I would still keep this job,” she said. “I love it.”[[In-content Ad]]