"Iron Sharpens Iron" - Amy Nestman, Hawaii Island Teacher of the Year

One of the problems with teaching is that we are relatively isolated in our classrooms. We don't really know what other teachers are doing if they are not on your grade level or department, especially in a very large school like ours, Kealakehe Elementary. We may know who is warm and friendly, but we don't really know who the outstanding teachers are. So, when Amy Nestman, a teacher at my school, became the Big Island nominee for Hawaii State Teacher of the Year, I was reminded of the isolation of our profession, because I did not know of her "outstandingness." After learning more about her for this blog, I am certain her recognition is well-deserved. 



I wanted her to be the subject of my first teacher profile because that is the reason I started the blog, to publicize teacher greatness. The other problem with our profession is our humility, we don't like to toot our own horn. But because she agreed that improving the public image of teachers is important, she couldn't say no. In fact, she didn't immediately agree to complete the application for Teacher of the Year when first nominated by our principal. But she had to break through the inclination to be humble, and embrace the opportunity.

 

The focus in Amy's classroom is on team-building. The students work in teams to support each other to achieve goals, academically and socially. Teams earn points for effective communication, collaboration in getting their resources ready quickly and when everyone turns in their homework. The emphasis on character-building is exemplified by a wall chart on which the students can post when they have demonstrated the general learner outcomes. Students are recognized throughout the day when they demonstrate an outcome and they are celebrated by putting their initials by the GLO on the board, they also get a sticker for their sticker book. At the end of the day they record the GLOs they demonstrated in their Home School Notebook so their parents can share in their child’s success at school.  She puts a lot of emphasis on student accountability, which is a tall order for second graders, but they rise up and meet that challenge, knowing they are believed in, supported, and expected to be successful.



Amy said that what motivated her to become a teacher was being inspired by teachers growing up in Kona, what she calls, "the ohana factor." She dreamt of becoming a teacher since she was in second grade, it was a spark within her that she couldn’t ignore. Her family, teachers in her children’s lives, teachers she worked with in different arenas as a volunteer, reading tutor and ELL Coordinator encouraged her to never give up on her dream; she was always told by all she met to pursue her goals and never lose sight of what she yearned to achieve. She not only honored the teachers in her children’s lives in Kona, she also remembers the teachers she has had and how they took her under their wings and inspired her to  discover her personal best in all she pursued. 

Today she’s living her dream of teaching and is committed to return those blessings she received in her community, by giving back to the children here. Her philosophy is to extend the ohana factor into her classroom climate. What keeps her going and keeps her inspired are her fellow teachers and their "unfailing dedication to their students, their support for each other, and their passion."

 Bringing positive attention to Kealakehe Elementary School and the amazing teachers she works with is one of the most rewarding aspects of this accomplishment for her. She is her grade level representative on the Instructional Leadership Team, which promotes school improvement through teacher leadership, and meshes well with her own passion for fellow teachers.



“Teaching is not just a job; it is an honorable mission and journey to positively impact our future generations and empower them with hope, conviction, and confidence through education. One of the most powerful influences and motivators for us as teachers is the influence of our fellow teachers. It reminds me of a bible verse which voices that “Iron sharpens iron” (Prov. 27-17.) To me that speaks so much about the amazing things that happen when teachers come together, support, and strengthen each other to make these missions for our students become reality. “ - Amy Nestman