If there’s one word to describe how the three Oxford district nominees for Oakland County’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year felt when they learned they were nominated, it would be ‘surprised.?
All three nominees, Judy Bozynski, from Lakeville Elementary, Neil Peruski, from Oxford Middle School, and Catherine Woolman, from Oxford High School, were humble in being nominated for the award.
‘There’s so many teachers in this building and I’m one of the youngest,? said Woolman. ‘I felt really honored that they would even think about me.?
Woolman teaches English and history for ninth, 11th and 12th grades.
Aside from teaching, she has duties as the student council advisor, coordinating dances and assemblies. She also coaches JV soccer and freshman and middle school volleyball.
Her philosophy, when it comes to teaching, is getting students to enjoy learning, especially when it comes to the sometimes bland subjects of English and history.
‘I like learning to be fun,? she said. ‘I do a lot of different exercises in my class to get them excited about it.?
Peruski, a sixth grade language arts teacher, said, like Woolman, there are many ways to make learning fun for students.
‘We can all learn and change and grow, it’s just a matter of finding out what makes each of them learn and change and grow,? he said.
In his 11 years in the Oxford School District, this is Peruski’s second time being nominated as a district hopeful for Teacher of the Year.
‘It’s nice to be nominated by your colleagues because they tend to know what you do and how you do it,? he said.
Another repeat nomination goes to Bozynski. The second grade teacher has been nominated four times before, although not at the district level.
‘I feel very privileged and honored,? she said.
With the vast amount of curriculum being handed down to lower level grades lately, Bozynski said she makes it her goal to not waste any time with her students, giving them her maximum teaching ability.
‘I hope I’m able to meet a variety of needs because there are a variety of types of students,? she said. ‘I want my classroom to be a place where everybody feels comfortable.?
Bozynski said a love of learning is what she hopes to instil in her students. ‘If you don’t love learning, you don’t want to repeat it,? she said. ‘I have a love of learning and that’s why I’m a teacher.?
The winner of Oakland County’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year will be announced sometime during the last week of March. The winner will be awarded on April 19.