Nationally recognized Pueblo teacher gives 'her heart and soul' to Bessemer students

James Bartolo, Pueblo Chieftain
·2 min read
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Jodi Fisher is not one to celebrate snow days — in fact, she's never had a day that she woke up and didn't want to go to work.

For seven years, Fisher has worked at Bessemer Academy as a math tutor. The Gannett Media Group and Colorado State University Pueblo recognized her as this month's national winner of a $5,000 "Amazing Teacher Award" on Monday, Dec. 18.

Fisher was nominated for the Amazing Teacher Awards by her younger sister, Dawn Valdez, a health technician for Pueblo School District 60. Fisher was first selected for the local award, sponsored by CSU Pueblo, before having her name drawn to win the national prize of $5,000.

"If you could see how the kids interact with her and love her, I know she is doing what she needs to be doing for our kids in our district," Valdez told the Chieftain.

Jodi Fisher sits at her Bessemer Academy desk on December 18, 2023.
Jodi Fisher sits at her Bessemer Academy desk on December 18, 2023.

Fisher tutors a wide range of Bessemer Academy students — from kindergarteners learning addition to fifth graders working on decimals and fractions. Before entering education, she worked for AT&T in Pueblo for 10 years and managed a supermarket in Columbia, California, for 15 years.

Born in Sonora, California, about 5 miles south of Columbia, Fisher grew up enjoying school and often lent a helping hand to her classmates. After years in the "corporate world," Fisher applied to be an instructional tutor at Bessemer Academy with encouragement from her sister Dawn.

She was hired and hasn't looked back. Her favorite part of the job is watching students grow in their math skills and as people.

"Maybe they didn't know something and all of the sudden they get it and you see the confidence... They understand and they get that confidence in themselves," Fisher said.

USA Today Network Account Executive Nicole Valdez (left) and Kristyn White Davis (right) of CSU Pueblo pose with a $5,000 Amazing Teacher Award check given to Bessemer Academy Teacher Jodi Fisher (center).
USA Today Network Account Executive Nicole Valdez (left) and Kristyn White Davis (right) of CSU Pueblo pose with a $5,000 Amazing Teacher Award check given to Bessemer Academy Teacher Jodi Fisher (center).

Upon hearing the news that she was selected to win the $5,000 prize, Fisher said she was "thoroughly" surprised. However, Bessemer Academy Principal Angela Garcia said she was not surprised by Fisher's winning of an Amazing Teacher Award, as Fisher is well deserving of the recognition.

"She's a math guru," Garcia said. "We are proud to have her as part of our family, part of our Bessemer team."

On Monday, Fisher entered the cafeteria at Bessemer Academy to the applause of dozens of students.

USA Today Network Account Executive Nicole Valdez, of no relation to Dawn, and CSU Pueblo Vice President for Enrollment Management & Extended Studies Kristyn White Davis presented Fisher with the $5,000 check.

When asked what she plans on doing with her prize money, Fisher responsibly answered that she is going to "put it in the bank for a little bit."

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Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo teacher recognized with national 'Amazing Teacher Award'