Educator of the Year
Mrs. Chandlee



Transferring to a new school is hard enough, but once I took my placement test at St. John the Beloved, I knew I was going to have a tough year ahead of me, and I would have to work very hard in school. Mrs. Chandlee was the 6th grade math and science teacher at the school. I met her the summer of 2010, when I began tutoring with her in the subject of math. Mrs. Chandlee had a reputation as being one of the best teachers at the school but also of the hardest teachers as well.

Although, I only had math in the 6th grade with Mrs. Chandlee, she remained my science teacher through the 8th grade. I always looked forward to her classes, and with me that doesn’t seem to happen often, but she always tried to make class fun and humorous. Her number one priority was to ensure we learned the content. She often incorporated projects and other creative ways to help us learn. Many of our science projects would require microscopes as well as a team effort; one included building a cardboard roller coaster.

Mrs. Chandlee always focused on learning and was always there to lend help when we needed it. Sometimes, the help and the conversations had nothing to do with school but our personal lives too. You could always tell that she cared; she was invested in our future both in and out of school. Many of us trusted her guidance and support, and we would reach out to her when we needed help. She always had a smile and was happy to help.

Even when she was no longer my math teacher in 7th and 8th grade, she continued to sacrifice her lunch period to review the content that was being taught. She had different ways and methods of explaining problems that made them easier to solve. To this day I not only remember her methods but rely on them now that I am in high school. I believe that it makes class easier to this day because she already taught many of the topics we are now learning.

You always hear about someone having a favorite teacher, and I am very happy to say that Mrs. Chandlee is my favorite teacher. She has taught me so much throughout the years, and she has definitely prepared me for high school. She has all of the quality traits that a good teacher should have. She is caring, dedicated, always there to help and continues to encourage you so that you never give up. I am very thankful to have had her as a teacher, and I hope she knows how much she meant to me. Its my pleasure to nominate her for Teen Ink’s Educator of the Year contest.
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