News Release
August 3, 2006
DPS Teacher Named 2006 Outstanding Elementary School Teacher At Disney Teacher Awards
Third-grade teacher Jennifer Wilson of Grant Ranch School was named the 2006 Outstanding Elementary Teacher at Disney's Teacher Awards Gala on Tuesday in Anaheim, CA.
"Great teaching is the key to improvement in our public schools," said Michael Bennet, Superintendent of DPS. "Jennifer Wilson is an outstanding teacher and we are proud to recognize her passion and creativity for teaching."
Wilson, noted for her creativity and the inspiration of her students, stood out among 75,000 nominees. "My teaching style is focused on solving real-life problems and on learning experiences that yield beneficial results for the students or others," said Wilson. "In a recent class on measurement, my students wondered about sizes and amounts and asked questions that formulated our activities. We measured door widths and wrote letters to the superintendent expressing Americans with Disabilities Act concerns."
Of the 75,000 nominations, Disney awarded the 2006 Disney Teacher Award to 44 teachers, from which Wilson was selected. They personally receive $10,000 and an additional $5,000 for their schools, while Wilson's award includes an extra $15,000. In addition, honorees take part in a week-long professional development institute at the Disneyland Resort, designed to foster collaboration in creating a valuable learning culture at their schools.
"Jennifer Wilson's effective teaching not only works to engage her students on a daily basis, but reaches beyond to her colleagues around her," said Michelle Moss, a member of the Denver Board of Education. "We are privileged to have her within our community."
"Jennifer Wilson is a phenomenal teacher," said Kim Ursetta, President of the Denver Classroom Teachers' Association, of which Wilson is a member. "We are proud of her impact on the students of Denver and know that she will be an excellent ambassador of quality teaching and learning across the country."
Nominations are conducted by students, parents, community members and colleagues, and include teachers that span the range of subject fields. Final decisions are made by former Disney Teacher Honorees and representatives of leading educational associations from around the country.