(Atlantic) The Atlantic Rotary Club presented the 7th annual “Teacher of the Year” award at the Atlantic High School Commons on Wednesday afternoon.
Rotarian Becky Schroeder read this excerpt from the nomination letters submitted to the Rotarians. “She was my son’s teacher, and my daughter’s coach-teacher, she had a significant impact on how my children have learned, the materials taught, and they both thrived in her classroom,” stated Schroeder. “The teacher set high but not unreasonable standards for my children and gave them the tools to succeed. My children were motivated and intellectually stimulated in her classroom and were successful because of her hard work. As you can tell, this teacher is loved and respected among her peers and her students. The 2021 Atlantic Rotary Club “Teacher of the Year” is Missy Goergen.”
During her acceptance speech, Missy Goergen said there isn’t just one teacher of the year, especially after all the school personnel went through this year. “I feel blessed to work with the colleagues that I have,” said Goergen. “When you get nominated, you fill out this form, and I said I would only accept the nomination if I can accept it on behalf of all of the teachers. Everyone, not just the teachers; our janitors, our para-professionals, our secretaries, our lunch staff, you guys all did this. I feel this is a collaborative effort, and maybe that’s the sportsperson in me working as a team. Thank you for choosing me, but thank you to all of you for making my job amazing.”
The award is designed to recognize excellence in education in the Atlantic Community Schools. The Atlantic Rotary Club presents the teacher with a $3,000 cash award. The money can enhance the teacher’s educational resources; further, the teacher’s education or whatever the selected teacher deems appropriate for any other purpose.
(Photo: Missy Goergen and her husband, Dr. Jeff Goergen)
