“I think that students should really reflect on that teacher who goes above and beyond, that teacher who goes the extra mile to make lessons interesting or applicable to real life,” art teacher Lauren Sakowski said.

This year, Sakowski is subbing in as head of the Teacher of the Year (TOY) board to make sure things go smoothly. The TOY award is awarded to one teacher every year that is nominated based on how they’ve impacted the students that nominate them. Sakowski won the award in the 2017-2018 school year and feels that the recognition is an honor. 

“We have to find joy where we can and I hope that win or lose, getting nominated is validating as a thank you for the work that you do,” Sakowski said.

Nominations opened on Nov. 4 and will close on Nov. 19. There is a minimum of 250 words per nomination entry, which Sakowski feels shouldn’t be a problem.

“[if the teachers are] that great, you should have a lot to say about them,” Sakowski said.

Other requirements to nominate a teacher include being a full-time teacher, counselor or librarian and plans to continue teaching. 

To find out if a teacher qualifies or to ask other questions in regards to the award, Sakowski said that she would be available for any questions and hopes that students and staff members will take the time to recognize their teachers and colleagues.

“I think that students should really reflect on that teacher who goes above and beyond, that teacher who goes the extra mile to make lessons interesting or applicable to real life,” Sakowski said. “Really think about the teacher who has just been an exceptional colleague, mentor, friend. Somebody who’s always the person that’s there to lift you up when you need them.”

Last year’s TOY winner, industrial tech teacher Mark McAllister, had a different experience with the TOY award ceremony because of the pandemic. 

“They called me down to the commons last year and they announced it on the stage. But usually, over the years, all the administrators walk into the classroom with balloons and announce that you’re [the] teacher of that year in front of a class,” McAllister said. 

McAllister appreciated the experience as he had been nominated before but hadn’t won. After his experience last year, he hopes that students and staff members will realize the impact the award has on teachers and nominate them for that reason.

“Everybody has a good teacher, but if there’s somebody that you think about and you think to yourself, ‘I wouldn’t be at the place I am academically, mentally or even emotionally without this person,’ I think it’s important to think about those people and nominate them for sure,” McAllister said. 

This is important to Sakowski as well, who hopes to get more nominations this year as people reflect on all that teachers have done in the previous years. 

“I really hope that people are thoughtful and, even though this year has been so difficult and everyone’s feeling overwhelmed, they find value and satisfaction in honoring that colleague or that teacher,” Sakowski said.