Program_2013_Final Pg Count.indd - Broward Teachers Union

Teacher of the Year Finalist
Evelyn Schwartz
Oakridge Elementary School
As a veteran teacher of almost 19 years, Evelyn Schwartz is the kind
of teacher who sees a need and makes a plan to meet. She supports
her students, and colleagues and is active in the community.
For the last 12 years, Schwartz has focused on inspiring and
encouraging her fi rst grade students to achieve their highest levels.
“My students’ mission statement is: ‘I am responsible for my
learning, safety, health, happiness and making the world a better
place,’” said Schwartz. “My students are only six and seven, but they
understand our mission.” Her goal is for her students to be in an
engaged, positive, safe environment where they can view school as a
place where they can learn and contribute to the world around them.
Always looking for new ways to engage her students, the Daily Five
program was implemented in her classroom so her students were
responsible for their learning to read. “Imagine six and seven year
old children being responsible for their own reading practice.” She
knew this was a winning program and shared it with her colleagues
to motivate their students.
Over the years, she was awarded not only Teacher of the Year at
her school, but also Social Studies Teacher of the Year for Broward
County. Schwartz feels her most effective role has been as the
Chairperson for the School Advisory Council, where she established
a genuine rapport with parents and addressed their concerns.
Another active role has been on the City of Hollywood Education
Advisory Committee where she initiated grants for many schools in
Hollywood. Serving in many leadership positions, her role has been
like a life-coach to her colleagues and friends.
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