Seeking the 'spark': Springfield schools teacher gains state recognition
Could Ohio's Teacher of the Year be right here in Summit County?
The answer won't come until next month, but Springfield High School and Junior High teacher Andrea Novicky is definitely in the running.
Novicky has been named Teacher of the Year for the State Board of Education's District 10, which includes all of Summit County and sections of Cuyahoga and Geauga counties. She's one of 11 teachers in Ohio contending for the statewide award.
She teaches applied communications, broadcasting and film, and creative solutions and designs, and has been with the Springfield Local School District for 12 years.
Springfield teacher excels among 'top-notch' districts
Novicky was chosen for the 2024 State Board of Education District 10 award in a very competitive state district, said Springfield Local School District Superintendent Shelley Monachino.
"There are some really top-notch districts in District 10," Monachino said in a phone interview Thursday.
Novicky said Monday she was nominated by Principal Michelle Warner and spent about 20-25 hours on the Ohio Board of Education award process. She is putting together a video due this month from teachers selected in each of the 11 Ohio state districts. From the 11, four will be chosen for interviews for Ohio Teacher of the Year.
The superintendent said Novicky has been adept at acquiring grants to bring resources and creativity to the classroom.
"We are thankful that we have her in our district," Monachino said.
Classroom can be an other-worldly experience
One example of Novicky's efforts is a NASA STEM Engagement grant that led to a lunar lander project in one of her classes. For the project, seventh and eighth grade students designed 3D-printed, 5-inch landers deployed on a simulated moon surface.
In another project, students created a wind turbine tunnel.
Novicky's hope is that creative endeavors like these will help students develop critical-thinking and how-to skills.
"That gives them independence, which is what we want them to (have)," she said. "It gives them that functionality, that independence, and they can't do that if they can't think. They have to become problem-solvers."
Helping students 'find their spark'
Novicky was recognized for her achievement at the June 27 Springfield Board of Education meeting, seen at the nine-minute, 45-second mark at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t0thlhvbts.
"She has just stepped up and done so much for our kids," Monachino said.
Novicky said the 11 teachers selected are encouraged by the State Board of Education to share ideas that can be adapted to classrooms across Ohio.
"It's really about working together to better education," she said.
Monachino said the award is an indication that the district is providing students a well-rounded education.
"It says we are offering our kids what they need," she said.
Novicky, who said she learned about the honor in a phone call while mounding potatoes in her vegetable garden, said every student has potential.
"I'm hoping that somewhere in my classroom, they can find their spark," she said.
Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Springfield teacher named teacher of the year for Ohio Summit district
