Sandy Pinchback enjoyed being around kids so much when she worked as a secretary in the front office at Lake Orion High School that she went back to school to get her teaching certificate.
Now, five years later, she has been named the district’s high school teacher of the year.
?(Pinchback) came into this field because she truly wanted to make a difference with kids,? said high school Principal Todd Dunckley.
‘She had a wonderful, powerful energy (when she worked at the front desk), and that’s never stopped,? he added, ‘and we’re just so fortunate that’s she’s come back to work with us as a teacher.?
According to Dunckley, Pinchback goes the ‘extra mile? with her students, calling each one of their parents/guardians at the beginning of each term to express her excitement about having their children in class. She follows up with parents throughout the term and attends various student events to support her students.
‘Sandy inspires me to become a better teacher,? Amy Bowman wrote in Pinchback’s nomination form that Dunckley read to the group. ‘I truly have never met another teacher as dedicated and as inspiring.?
Other comments indicated students felt Pinchback treats them with respect and cares about them as people, and parents expressed that under Pinchback’s guidance, their children ‘not only started to care about school, but started to care about who they were,? according to Dunckley.
‘I have a list of people that inspire me, and (Pinchback) is on this list,? he added. ‘We’re very proud to have Sandy on our staff.?
When Pinchback received her honors, she wouldn’t take full credit for her accomplishments, saying that she has learned so much from her fellow teachers to help make her into the teacher she is today.
‘Nobody goes it alone,? she added, noting that this honor is ‘totally unexpected.?
Superintendent Christine Lehman and Assistant Superintendent Ken Gutman were on hand for the teacher of the year announcement, and afterward Lehman expressed her gratitude to Pinchback.
‘Everyone in Lake Orion benefited (from having Pinchback on staff), and we’re so excited to have someone of Sandy’s caliber in the classroom,? she said.
Pinchback’s mother, Barb Keller, was also on hand for the surprise and said she is proud of her daughter and thought it was wonderful when she decided to go back for her teaching certificate.
Pinchback, who deemed herself as a ‘lifelong learner,? said she loves to learn and looks forward to sharing this love with her students.
‘I love teaching. I like to learn and I like to pass on what I’ve learned,? she added. ‘I’m so fortunate to get paid for something I love doing.?
Come back to next week’s Review to find out who has been named the district’s middle school teacher of the year.