Stills Middle School teacher honored with A+ Award sponsored by Western Governors University

Mrs. Hurd, an English language arts teacher at Stills Middle School, was named the March A+ Award winner at a school assembly where Western Governors University presented the honor.

The award recognizes classroom teachers nominated by students. Dr. Terrence Hopson of Western Governors University opened the presentation, saying, "Hi. I'm Doctor. Terrence Hopson with Western Governors University, and we are proud to sponsor this month's A plus award." A school staff member announced the winner as "our March A plus award winner."

Students who nominated Hurd described her as kind and engaged. One student said, "Mrs. Hurd is an absolutely amazing teacher. Her dedication to teaching and her infectious positivity are something that really sets her out above the rest." Another student told the assembly, "She recently came back from surgery and she was gone for 5 weeks. And even, like, during the time that she was in the hospital, she still, like, made time to email us back. It, like, let us know that, like, she really cared for us and, like, I think she thought we were important enough to, like, be emailed before and after her surgery. Yeah. I thought I was just gonna not like ELA, but she made, ELA so fun." A third student praised her classroom environment and supportive approach, saying she is "patient with us, supports us, encourages us, motivates us. She has these cups posters around the room. It makes it, like, so inviting and, like, more and friendly. She's, like, really, really, really nice. And And she's also 1 of my favorite teachers in like my entire like schooling."

Accepting the award, Hurd said she was moved by the student nominations: "I'm an emotional person so I was brought to tears in kind of a surreal moment back that seventh graders took the time and felt that I was deserving. 12 and 13 year olds, that's a lot. I want all of my students to feel that they are seen, that they are respected, that that they are safe, that there's a sense of belonging. I take a lot of time to get to know them more, not just academically, but even as a person as well, getting to know their likes, their dislikes, their family life, their hobbies, what makes them tick. Teaching is about making a lot of connections and I think receiving the A plus award makes me reflect on that just small moments can really make an impact on a student's life. Knowing that just a smile can go a long way is really rewarding to know."

The presentation was part of a routine school assembly and the monthly A+ Award program sponsored by Western Governors University. No formal actions or votes were recorded during the remarks.