Sun, Oct 27th, 2019
Lisa Wolfe of New Philadelphia is the 2019 Teacher of the Year for State Board of Education District 9. The Indian Valley High School English teacher is the third consecutive educator from Indian Valley Local Schools who has won the regional award.
Colleagues say Wolfe has a passion for teaching, believing in the power of self-reflection for her students. She gives her pupils chances to examine where they have been and want to go by studying literature that reflects the turning points young adults experience when preparing for life after high school.
Wolfe is known for her strong focus on college and career readiness. She started an ACT college admission exam preparation workshop that met state requirements for a high school course of that nature. She also advocates for public education as a hope for all students, saying she believes teachers are the “change agents” that give students the qualities and knowledge they need for success.
Wolfe and 10 other regional Teacher of the Year awardees each have the chance to be named the 2019 Ohio Teacher of the Year this fall.
“Teachers are at the forefront of Ohio’s charge to create bright, exciting futures for our students,” said Paolo DeMaria, Ohio’s superintendent of public instruction. “The Ohio Teacher of the Year program recognizes inspiring educators who elevate our public education system and ensure real-world success for our students.”
The Ohio Department of Education invited school districts in State Board District 9 to nominate teachers for the regional award. Stephanie Dodd, State Board District 9 member, worked with a committee of educators to select Wolfe.
“Lisa is masterful at helping her students think about things from different perspectives, a skill that will serve them well throughout their lives,” Dodd said. “In all she does, she puts her students on a path to future success.”
“Lisa invests more than content knowledge and test-taking skills in her students; she invests herself,” Indian Valley Schools Superintendent Ira Wentworth said. “In an era where educational mandates often stifle passion and enthusiasm, she finds that the focus on college and career readiness in Ohio is energizing efforts and changing culture. Her work benefits students and families, making a tangible impact on college acceptance and academic scholarships.”
A panel of education and community stakeholders will select the 2019 Ohio Teacher of the Year. That educator will represent the Buckeye State in the National Teacher of the Year selection sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers.