(SitNews) San Diego, California - In recognition of inspirational teaching nationwide, Sarah Campbell, an English teacher at Ketchikan High School in Ketchikan has been named a recipient of the National University System-Sanford Teacher Award for Alaska on a surprise Zoom announcement. 

Sarah Campbell, an English teacher at Ketchikan High School, Named a Top Inspiring Teacher in Alaska

During a year of unprecedented challenges for teachers nationwide, the Sanford Teacher Award honors the top teacher in each state and the District of Columbia with $10,000 for supporting student development and achievement in inspirational and harmonious ways. The award was established in the name of philanthropist T. Denny Sanford, who is committed to supporting inspiring teaching nationwide through PreK-12 programs focused on developing the social and emotional (SEL) skills of young people. Each teacher recipient is now eligible to be named the national winner of the Sanford Teacher Award, which comes with a total award of $50,000 and will be announced at a future date. 

Campbell has let her life experiences inform her teaching, adding a specific sensitivity and proximity to her lessons plan. She was selected in 2013 to participate in the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA) Peace Study Tour to Japan. Seeing Hiroshima and the damage and destruction surrounding this historical event, she found a new appreciation for empathy as a teaching tool. Having her students read about the Holocaust, the atomic bomb, and Hiroshima, helps inform them, emotionally engage with the topics, and use empathy to guide their learning. Focusing on emotional development also expands students’ passion and purpose within student learning. 

The teachers were selected by a committee of educators and faculty based on an application process that included nominations and information provided by each teacher. Sanford Teacher Award winners were selected for demonstrating high levels of inspirational teaching practices by engaging students, building student confidence, motivating students to succeed, giving students a voice and creating an inclusive environment. 

“The qualities reflect the mission of education-focused programs based on the vision of Mr. Sanford that are being expanded nationally through the leadership of the private, nonprofit National University System. Its anchor institution, National University, is home to the Sanford College of Education, which is one of the nation’s Top Ten largest schools of education. The Sanford Programs include Sanford Harmony, a PreK-6 social emotional learning program that helps children develop communication and collaboration skills, and the PreK-12 Sanford Inspireprogram that offers teachers research-based resources and lessons to create inspiring classroom experiences.”

“The National University System is so pleased to be honoring the vision of philanthropist T. Denny Sanford by recognizing inspiring teachers around the country through the Sanford Teacher Awards,” said Dr. Michael R. Cunningham, Chancellor of the San Diego-based National University System. “Teachers give so much of themselves to their students, schools and communities, and the Sanford Teacher Award is a way for us to celebrate the contributions of inspiring teachers who encourage children to reach their greatest potential.”

The Sanford Teacher Awards is part of the national expansion efforts of the National University System-based Sanford Programs, which in addition to Sanford Harmony and Sanford Inspire also includes a national network of fundraiser training programs anchored by the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at National University. All are based on the vision of Mr. Sanford, who has committed to giving away most of his wealth during his lifetime. Mr. Sanford has given to health care and education-related initiatives, including the Sanford Programs at the National University System.

“As a child, I was fortunate to have a few teachers who truly inspired me to learn and succeed. Educators have many similar opportunities to touch children’s lives and have had a profound influence on their lives and learning,” said Mr. Sanford. “As an entrepreneur and philanthropist, I can think of no better return on investment than inspiring students to embrace learning and their path in life.” 

The 2020 awardees will join last year’s cohorts of awardees, continue to work with the Sanford Harmony and Inspire Programs and receive training in communications and advocacy for teaching that is inspirational and grounded in social and emotional development. 

Edited By Mary Kauffman, SitNews

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National University System
https://www.nusystem.org

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