Everett teacher honored for 'genuine care'
Sioux City schools educator of the year know for building relationships
By Earl Horlyk Journal staff writer | Posted: Friday, May 16, 2008
SIOUX CITY - "Shocked but honored."
That was Linda Heffner's reaction when the Everett Elementary School third grade teacher discovered on Thursday that she had been named Sioux City Community School District's Teacher of the Year.
The news came from Superintendent Larry Williams who said Heffner was chosen from among the more than 1,000 teachers in the Sioux City school district and will now be in contention to become Teacher of the Year for the state of Iowa.
Heffner, who has spent her entire career at Everett ("24 years and they haven't kicked me out yet," she joked), said she was inspired to enter the teaching profession by her dad and several aunts and uncles who were also educators.
"Plus I love kids," she added.
"What sets Linda apart is the relationship she establishes with her students," said Everett principal Mette Malek, one of Heffner's nominators. "She offers them guidance and touches their lives long after they leave her classroom."
Jody Vanderloo, math strategist for the Sioux City Community School District, agrees.
"Linda has a genuine care and concern for the well being of each person in her class," Vanderloo wrote. "I was extremely touched to watch Linda give money out of her own pocket to buy medication for a student whose family couldn't afford it."
Vanderloo was also impressed that all of Heffner's students had a toothbrush in their desks.
"Linda encourages her kids to brush each day after recess to ensure their dental health needs are taken care of," Vanderloo added. She's provided each student with their own toothbrush and tube of toothpaste."
"You look so nervous," said one of Heffner's student after the teacher received her recognition.
"Well, I'm not used to getting all of this attention," said Heffner.
That was Linda Heffner's reaction when the Everett Elementary School third grade teacher discovered on Thursday that she had been named Sioux City Community School District's Teacher of the Year.
The news came from Superintendent Larry Williams who said Heffner was chosen from among the more than 1,000 teachers in the Sioux City school district and will now be in contention to become Teacher of the Year for the state of Iowa.
Heffner, who has spent her entire career at Everett ("24 years and they haven't kicked me out yet," she joked), said she was inspired to enter the teaching profession by her dad and several aunts and uncles who were also educators.
"Plus I love kids," she added.
"What sets Linda apart is the relationship she establishes with her students," said Everett principal Mette Malek, one of Heffner's nominators. "She offers them guidance and touches their lives long after they leave her classroom."
Jody Vanderloo, math strategist for the Sioux City Community School District, agrees.
"Linda has a genuine care and concern for the well being of each person in her class," Vanderloo wrote. "I was extremely touched to watch Linda give money out of her own pocket to buy medication for a student whose family couldn't afford it."
Vanderloo was also impressed that all of Heffner's students had a toothbrush in their desks.
"Linda encourages her kids to brush each day after recess to ensure their dental health needs are taken care of," Vanderloo added. She's provided each student with their own toothbrush and tube of toothpaste."
"You look so nervous," said one of Heffner's student after the teacher received her recognition.
"Well, I'm not used to getting all of this attention," said Heffner.
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