Mrs. Valencia Williams, a 4th grade teacher at Sunnyside Elementary, has been named the recipient of the 2008 Salute to Teachers Award from the Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce.

Each school in Lawrence Township nominates one teacher who goes above and beyond for their students and families.  Nominated by colleagues at Sunnyside Elementary, Williams is known as a teacher who welcomes all students into her classroom. She first teaches them to believe in themselves and what they can accomplish with her help.  She scaffolds their learning and gradually withdraws support as she teaches them to stand on their own two feet and become self-directed, lifelong learners.

Mrs. Williams always begins with the end in mind — not the end of the school day or the end of the school year, but a place in time when each child no longer needs her loving touch and kind words to sustain them.  Mrs. Williams believes that no significant learning ever occurs without first building a significant relationship, and she is a master at developing relationships with her students and their families.  She doesn’t see a student having just one year in her class. Instead, she builds a lasting relationship with each and every one of them — growing, developing and nurturing her students to help them reach their full potential — a job that often takes more than 180 days of school.

Mrs. Williams, along with Sunnyside Principal Connie Thomas and former student Jeff Corey, enjoyed an evening at The Garrison for dinner and awards. Mrs. Williams received a check for $1,000 to use for her students.

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