Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools May/June 2015 | Page 4

Sandy Ridge Elementary kindergarten teacher named 2015-16 UCPS Teacher of the Year
Austen said her goal for her students is to find
a secure, caring and stimulating environment
where they feel safe, accepted and loved.
“I have watched my students learn and grow
over the years because of the love and trust we
have for each other,” Austen said. “They are able
to develop in an emotionally safe environment
that encourages thinking, risk taking, and
involvement. Through building relationships and
creating a family-like classroom atmosphere, my
students are able to resolve conflicts and work
as a team to solve problems.”
Her day is structured to encourage her
students to become self-directed learners by
setting personal goals, initiating activities, and
by organizing their own time line to complete
daily projects.
“I am not afraid to take risks and to strive
to meet new goals,” she said. “My greatest
contribution to education is taking the time to
get to know each child and make sure each one
leaves school happy and loved.”
Austen said she considers herself lucky to be
part of the teaching profession. “I often look at
some of my friends who are making a lot more
money than I am, are less stressed out, and
actually have their nights and weekends off, and
I think… ‘Nope! I wouldn’t give up
teaching for anything.’ ”
UCPS Superintendent Dr. Mary
Ellis congratulated all teachers of
the year and thanked them for their
Lisa Austen, a kindergarten teacher at Sandy Ridge
hard work and dedication.
Elementary School, at center, was named the 2015-16 Union
“Were it not for some special
County Public Schools Teacher of the Year during Thursday’s
teachers, I wouldn’t be here,”
(April 23, 2015) Teacher of the Year Banquet. She is pictured
Ellis said. “So I celebrate you.
with UCPS Superintendent Dr. Mary Ellis and Sandy Ridge
Elementary Principal James Eversole.
I celebrate you personally. I
celebrate you privately. I celebrate
you publically. We have to be in
This year’s UCPS Teacher of
the business of doing what’s right
the Year knew from the beginning
for every child, every time, every
of her career that she wanted to
minute, every breath. I salute you
Lisa Austen, a kindergarten teacher
make a difference in the lives of
at Sandy Ridge Elementary School,
for doing just that.”
children, to change a child’s life for
is handed the keys to a new car after
For winning the countywide
the better.
Lisa Austen sits in her
b