Amy T. Anderson
2017-2018 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year
Ocean City High School
Ocean City School District

As a high school teacher of American Sign Language (ASL) at a school situated on the beaches of Ocean City, I know that the lure of the ocean, warm sand, and cry of the seagull punctuate the end of every school year. Summer is close. However, the anticipation of a vacation is bittersweet because although I long for the break and time with my family, the realization that my ASL 4 students will be graduating weighs heavy in the back of my mind. These are students I have grown close to throughout their time in high school, and even though I hold fast to my commitment to be their teacher forever, I know that they are ultimately leaving and moving on to make their mark on the world.

This year's seniors will become ASL interpreters and teachers of the Deaf. Some will pursue careers unrelated to ASL but carry empathy, understanding, and appreciation into their chosen profession and work each day to be allies to the Deaf community. I will miss them dearly, as we all miss our students when June arrives and that last day of school ends. We are teachers who love our students and have dedicated our lives to a profession where making a difference is what we do every day, one child at a time.

As teachers, we plan, assess, inform instruction, and advocate. Advocating has always been as important to me as teaching. I know that fighting for every child's right to language and culture initially drew me to teaching and has fueled my passion for the past 28 years. We change lives, removing obstacles and creating educational environments that allow students to succeed not as a version of everyone else but as themselves.

As we end this year together and look towards starting the next, I urge you to decide that your students will feel equity within a classroom free of judgment. Show them your humanity while prioritizing your relationships and connections with your students. Hold tight to your authentic self and be open to how you have been empowered to advocate for what is important to you and the children to whom you have dedicated your lives.

Now is the time to cherish the memories we've made together, celebrate the growth we've nurtured and the bonds we've forged, and take that final moment to proudly reflect on the difference we've made in the lives of our students. Yes, it is okay to own the impact you have made and the hard work and dedication you have invested in your students. Each year reinforces for me that, like so many of you, I am happiest when I am teaching!

Thank you for your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to New Jersey's children. Together, we will continue to inspire and empower the next generation to be exactly who they are meant to be!

Featured NJDOE School of the Month—Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf