Clear Creek Elementary honors Miss Ambrose as teacher of the year

Miss Ambrose was selected as teacher of the year at Clear Creek Elementary, speakers said during a school recognition in Shelby County.

School staff members who spoke at the event said Miss Ambrose ‘‘brings kindness, joy, and a strong sense of community’’ to her kindergarten classroom and builds students’ enthusiasm for reading, writing, science and math. "She has a knack for building such enthusiasm and joy in learning that it just it's just evident, it just oozes from her classroom," a school staff member said.

The remarks highlighted classroom practices the staff member said promote autonomy and collaboration among even the youngest learners: students working independently, collaborating in groups and focusing on tasks. A student who spoke during the recognition said, "She taught us a lot of words. And she taught us how to spell it. She teaches us the words." The student added, "She's kind."

Speakers cited concrete classroom moments to illustrate Miss Ambrose’s approach. The school staff member described lessons in which students compared temperatures in sun and shade while learning about shadows, and noted that the teacher helps children develop identities as "readers and writers and scientists and mathematicians." A student described enjoying drawing and said Miss Ambrose "takes care of us."

There were no formal votes or official actions recorded in the transcript excerpt. The recognition was presented as an accolade highlighting classroom impact and student development, rather than as a policy or budget item.

The school staff member and student comments together framed the award as recognition of classroom practices that staff said lead to student engagement and growth in kindergarten.