A Sweet Home High School teacher in Amherst was honored with the New York State Excellence in Teaching Award. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul appeared at the high school Monday to deliver the honor.
"Congratulations," said Lt. Governor Hochul. The Lt. Governor and Sweet Home school leaders interrupted high school chemistry teacher Dr. Sarah English during her classroom lesson.
"We're saying we value you. We value you in your profession," Hochul stated before a classroom of students.
The Governor's awards are given to those who exemplify and demonstrate the excellence in classrooms. Hochul read from a student's nomination for the Sweet Home teacher.
"It is with no ounce of hyperbole," read Hochul "These are good writers," noted the Lt. Governor. "I've never seen a teacher as dedicated to the success of every one of her students as Dr. English. It is so difficult for me to even describe this passion," Hochul read from the students nomination.
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English is receiving a $5,000 dollar stipend to support her professional development interests. Newly named Sweet Home High School Principal Dr. Andres Arroyo was proud to host the Lt. Governor and showcase the teacher's excellence.
"What the Lt. Governor had to say to you guys is so true in the little time that I've been here," Arroyo addressed students. "You do have the best teachers, brightest teachers, the most prepared teachers in Western New York and it is to your advantage."
English is celebrated as one of the thousands of teachers who are making a difference in student learning. Sweet Home Schools Superintendent Tony Day says his students are making some great strides in literacy and in Common Core.
"We had 98-percent of our students pass the first version of the English Common Core successfully. Some of the more challenging courses in math and science - we want all of our kids to take those courses and be successful," remarked Day. "Like the course Dr. English is teaching is very difficult and the final assessment is really challenging but that's our goal is that everybody is equipped to be able to succeed there."
Sweet Homes graduation rate is at 94-percent, but Superintendent Day says they're still striving for 100-percent.
