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Extra Credit
Teachers
Who Pass the Torch Deserve to be Recognized
By: Jonathan Juravich
In the field of education, teachers are a part of an incredible relay —
a passing of the torch. Knowledge and guidance are passed from teacher
to student, from teacher to teacher, and from teacher to the community.
Over the course of my first 14 years in education, I have been a part
of this relay with some exceptional teachers. These teachers do
remarkable things for their students and communities.
Erin Budic is one of those inspiring educators. This third grade
teacher at Liberty Tree Elementary School in Powell was affected by a
student’s illness. She organized a school-sponsored American Red Cross
blood drive to benefit other patients. Many years and many blood drives
later, Erin has helped the school and the American Red Cross collect
1,056 units of blood.
And, in the past year as the 2018 Ohio Teacher of the Year and the Ohio
Department of Education teacher-in-residence, I have had the pleasure
of meeting teachers from all corners of the state of Ohio who astound
me with their heart for the community. David Kaser teaches in Barberton
City School District. In his high school STEM program, students design
and utilize a 3D printer to create prosthetic hands to be donated to
individuals across the globe. David’s students know how to utilize
their learning to impact others.
Teachers know their work extends beyond the curriculum or their
specific areas of instruction. They know that before students can meet
academic goals, they must feel seen, valued and safe. For these
reasons, I am incredibly excited about the inaugural year of the
Teachers of Ohio Representing Character and Heart (TORCH) recognition.
Administrators, fellow educators, community members, parents and
students can nominate teachers whose dedication to social justice and
their communities makes them stand out in the most inspiring ways. Five
Ohio teachers will be selected for the TORCH recognition and will be
honored in a surprise reveal later this school year.
Please consider nominating a teacher who truly models a life of
compassion, integrity, honor, and respect by visiting the TORCH
website. Nominations are due Jan. 31, 2019. Together, let’s celebrate
those educators who are making an immeasurable impact on their
students, schools, communities and our future.
Jonathan Juravich is the 2018 Ohio Teacher of the Year. For the
2018-2019 school year, Jonathan is taking a sabbatical from his
position as an elementary art teacher at Olentangy Local Schools to
serve as the Department’s teacher-in-residence.
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