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Making a difference Amber Augustus, Delaware's Teacher of the Year, has smart 5th graders! - by Joel F. Glazier A mber Augustus, Delaware's Teacher of the Year for 2011-2012, found her way to classroom teaching after a successful stint in the corporate world as a senior performance spe- cialist for the Corporation Trust Company. Now in only her seventh year of teaching in the Smyrna School District, she is working to help her fifth grade students (at John Bassett Moore Intermediate School) perform to the level of excellence which matches her new recognition. "Part of the responsibility in my corporate job was teaching workers new computer-based organization programs. The work force was diverse in age, skill level and back- grounds, and I found such teaching challenging and meaningful," she acknowledges. But not her life's work, it turns out. After she decided to pursue public school teaching, she worked toward a Master's Degree in Education at night while corporate training by day. She earned a bachelor's degree in Interpersonal Communications from the University of Delaware in 2001 and completed her master's degree in Elementary Studies from Wilmington College in 2005. Augustus family of teach- ers influences her decision to change fields "Our family Thanksgiving get together is like a faculty meeting," she laughs. Her father-in-law, John Augustus, is a fifth grade math teacher at Wm. Henry Middle School, and mother-in-law, Tammy Augustus, is principal at Hartly Amber Augustus is one of the youngest Teachers of the Year, with just six years of experience. The conclusion of her Teacher of the Year portfolio sums up the philosophy of great teachers: "An A average on a report card is nice, but the emergence of an active, engaged, and informed future citizen is better." Elementary School in Capital. And sister, Candy, teaches at Smyrna Elementary School. It wasn't that any of them tried to talk her into changing careers. It was more their example, their experiences, what they talked about, and the realiza- tion that what they did every day really mattered, really made a dif- ference. "My former supervisors at Corporation Trust seemed a bit con- fused that I was leaving to become a public school teacher, but they were supportive. I see much more mean- ingful work everywhere and every day in my school and others I have visited. I miss my former col- leagues. But now I also miss former students! No one prepares you for this new level of attachment," Augustus shares about the differ- ences in teaching adults compared to teaching younger students. Augustus recalls being hospital- ized for several weeks in eleventh grade following an accident. Her history teacher at Caesar Rodney High School, Gary Riley, visited her there. "He then became more than a person to whom I turned in papers. The fact that he cared made quite 24 Nov/Dec 2011 DSEA ACTION! an impression, and perhaps then I unconsciously held teachers and teaching to a different level." Being the best you can be means collaborating, sharing, learning from other teachers "I walk the halls of my building every day and talk with other teach- ers. Collaboration is essential, since teachers always band together to do what's best for every student. A good thing about the Race to the Top requirements is that there is time for collaborating with col- leagues. Of course I always had my teaching in-laws, but so many teachers are doing such amazing excellent teaching in this state. I have my ears, eyes and note pad always open so I can use the best of what I hear and learn." Frustrations along with joy Amber Augustus acknowledges that since her teen-age years, she saw her future in-laws working beyond the end of the school day. But she also observed how many students and families never forgot them. "Even with only six years of full time teaching, parents of for- mer students greet me in the com- munity to share their joy about what's happening now that their son or daughter is in high school. However, one frustration is the inability to invent hours to do all the work we have to do every day." That desire to make an impact at a different level is something that also led her to the world of public school teaching. "I am glad Delaware has put a strong focus on education. One would hope that we have figured out what is best for students, but with this changing society, education must change. "We are not here to help just one student find a job someday; our work benefits the nation – our democracy - as a whole. I hope our elected leaders realize dedication to education is such a positive thing, and it is so great to now be honored and recognized in this state's educa- tion community where amazing things happen every day." Joel F. Glazier, DSEA-Retired, is a frequent contributor to ACTION! He can be reached at jglazie@aol.com. www.dsea.org