MEET OUR 2019 SANFORD TEACHER AWARD WINNERS
Sanford Teacher Award recipients were chosen based on a specified set of criteria indicating inspirational teaching. All finalists have qualified for the honor of being named the nation's top inspirational teacher in 2019. The awards, supported by philanthropist T. Denny Sanford, reflect the combined missions of Sanford Harmony and Sanford Inspire.
The following teachers were selected by a committee of educators through an application process that included nominations and information provided by each teacher to assess how closely they represent characteristics of inspiring teaching, which included engaging students, building confidence, creating an inclusive environment, motivating students to succeed, and giving students a voice.
Announcing the 2019 Grand Prize Winner:
Tom Whisinnand
Ronald W. Reagan Elementary School
Omaha, Nebraska
Tom Whisinnand, a.k.a. "Mr. Whiz," has taught for 10 years, making a difference with his commitment to social emotional learning and fostering connections with his students.
Congratulations to all Award Winners!
Our Educators
AK
Lee Morgan
Snowshoe Elementary School-Behavior Support Program - Wasilla
AL
Patricia Skelton
Opelika Middle School - Opelika
AR
Claudine James
Malvern Middle School - Malvern
AZ
Katrina Lacey
Desert Vista High School - Desert Vista
CA
Martha Garibay
Fifty-Second Street Elementary School - Los Angeles
CO
Randi Dotter
Cotopaxi Consolidated Schools - Cotopaxi
CT
Jeanne Malgioglio
Madison Middle School - Trumbull
DC
Sarah Frayer
Friendship Woodridge International School - Washington
DE
Laura Thompson
William F. Cooke, Jr. Elementary School - Hockessin
FL
Jennifer Apgar
Ferrell GIrls Preparatory Academy - Tampa
GA
Jennelle Williams
Dean Rusk Head Start Academy - Atlanta
HI
LeeAnn Pule-Viernes
Kahuku Complex Intensive Learning Classroom - Hauuka
IA
Beth Deacon
Keokuk High School - Keokuk
ID
Kelsey Bender
Blackfoot High School - Blackfoot
IL
Loretta Edwards
Clara Barton School - Chicago
IN
Terri Childers
Joseph Hess Elementary - Hammond
KS
Reina Cruz
Junction City High School - Junction City
KY
Kerri Stanfield
Mason County Middle School - Maysville
LA
Kristen Bruce
Pickering High School - Leesville
MA
Renee Estrella
Joseph G Luther Elementary School - Swansea
MD
Susan Ellerbee
Randallstown High School - Randallstown
ME
Sarah Page
SKCDC Head Start - Vasselboro
MI
Jessyca Mathews
Carman-Ainsworth High School - Carman-Ainsworth
MN
Taylor Thomas
Intermediate School District 917 - South St. Paul
MO
Leslie Aguilar
Battle High School AVID College Readiness System - Columbia
MS
Jennifer Pratt
Houston Alternative High School - Houston
MT
Connie Michael
Crow Agency Public School - Crow Agency
NC
Lindsey Cahoon
Elizabeth City Middle School - Elizabeth City
ND
Leah Juelke
Fargo South High - Fargo
NE
Tom Whisinnand
Reagan Elementary - Omaha
NH
Maryanne Cullinan
Great Brook School - Antrim
NJ
Michael Niedizejko
New Providence High School - New Providence
NM
Denise Agan
Mountain View Middle School - Rio Rancho
NV
Stephanie Graville
CC Ronnow Marathon Kidspe Elementary School - Las Vegas
NY
Zenzile Dabreo
PS IS 109 - Brooklyn
OH
Linda Amici
Alcott Elementary - Westerville
OK
Dallas Fields
Dove Science Academy - Oklahoma City
OR
Felisha Ferber
Glenfair Elementary School - Portland
PA
Jerriel Hall
KIPP West Philadelphia Prep - Philadelphia
RI
Megan Thoma
Paul Cuffee Upper School - Providence
SC
Patti Nunnally
Henry Timrod Elementary - Florence
SD
Spencer Cody
Edmunds Central School District - Roscoe
TN
Kayla Flatt
Sycamore Elementary - Cookeville
TX
Norma Burke
Early College High School Galena Park ISD - Houston
UT
Stephanie Hunt
Clayton Middle School - North Salt Lake
VA
Lani Ashberry
St. Clare Walker Middle School - Middlesex
VT
Miranda Johnson
Hinesburg Community School - Hinesburg
WA
Holly Coty
Peter G. Schmidt - Tumwater
WI
Heidi Hamilton
Arrowhead High School - Hartland
WV
Amy Parent
St. Joseph Catholic School - Huntington
WY
Kelly Vallier
Rock River School - Rock River
Inaugural Recipients
VT
Shannon Kline
Anson Jones Elementary School - Dallas
WA
Nicole Lopez
Park Slope 282 - New York City
WI
Angela Karem
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School - Chula Vista
WV
Alvin Dizon
Robert O. Gibson Middle School - Clark County
WY
Rafaela Campos
Jaime Escalante Early Childhood Center - Los Angeles