Molly Galassi is the 2012 Kent School District Teacher of the Year.
Galassi, a sixth-grade teacher at Horizon Elementary, was selected by committee of administrators, classified employees, previous recipients of the honor, and a union representative, according to a school district media release.
Galassi was surprised with the announcement during a staff meeting on April 27. Her husband, two children, father, sister and nephew were also in attendance. Superintendent Edward Lee Vargas also attended the celebration to congratulate Galassi.
“I never expected this,” she said. “I feel that there are so many teachers that are deserving of this honor.”
One of her students nominated Galassi for the honor.
Tricia Drinnon, the school’s librarian and technology coach, wrote in a letter to the committee that Galassi, “sets high expectations for both herself and her students. This is evident daily in the quality work produced by her students.”
Drinnon also noted Galassi’s efforts to incorporate technology into her classroom and curriculum. This year Galassi’s classroom has gone almost completely paperless due to receiving a grant where each of her students has their own desktop computer.
She also pilots at least one technology program that allows her students to have online critical thinking conversations that incorporate strategic literacy skills on a daily basis.
Horizon Principal Melanie Strey also noted Galassi’s “contributions to the whole school community through her powerful work as the former student leadership team advisor,” and also serving on the school’s discipline committee, professional learning teams, master schedule creation, and science committee.
Strey added that Galassi does not like attention placed on her, and prefers to keep working to help students succeed.
Galassi has taught at Horizon since 1998. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and her master’s degree from City University. Galassi is a former Kent School District student having attended Meridian Elementary and graduated from Kentwood High School.
Galassi’s selection as the district’s teacher of the year means she is a candidate for regional teacher of the year within the Puget Sound Educational Service District – which serves 35 public school districts.
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