Turner County educator named Amazon Teacher of the Year
May 10—ASHBURN — Sue Palmer, a 6th-8th-grade Technology and Gifted Resource teacher at Turner County Middle School, has been selected among thousands of eligible teachers as a 2023 Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year Award recipient.
Palmer will receive a prize package valued at more than $30,000, which includes $25,000 to expand computer science and/or robotics education at her school and a $5,000 teacher cash award. Turner County Middle School officials say they plan to use the prize money to expand the school's technology lab and expand computer science opportunities for students.
Palmer and her students learned of the honor when her colleagues surprised them with an Amazon box filled with Amazon Future Engineer swag.
"In my 16 years of being in education as a teacher, I have often struggled with feeling validated or knowing whether I make a difference in the lives of my students," she said. "However, that moment certainly changed when I opened that box from Amazon and saw the words 'Congratulations Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year Award Recipient.'
"At that moment, I had never been more excited to open a box from Amazon than I was that afternoon. Winning this award is an honor, and I feel incredibly blessed to be among the educators that have received this award. I am also happy about what this award brings to the students in Turner County. I hope my students realize that I did this for them because I care about their future and that my priority will always be to bring the education, experiences and opportunities they greatly deserve."
Palmer has been a middle school educator for 16 years, teaching students in grades 6-8 in various subjects, including science, social studies, math, technology, visual art and gifted resources. Sher holds a master of education degree in Math and Science K-8 and an education specialist degree in Instructional Technology and Library Media.
Although this is her third year teaching at Turner Middle School, she has always focused on increasing awareness and emphasis on STEAM education and career opportunities. Whether through the instruction or field trips related to visual arts or technology curricula, such as 3D printing, robotics, and coding, Palmer has at the forefront of her teaching hands-on learning and engaging activities to put students on the path to success.
"We are thrilled to celebrate the 2023 Amazon Future Engineer Teachers of the Year," Victor Reinoso, global director of Amazon's philanthropic education initiatives, said in a news release. "We were impressed by their efforts to increase access to computer science opportunities in their classrooms and communities, and inspired by the creative ways each educator encourages students to build fundamental coding skills to explore pathways to careers of the future."
Palmer is one of 10 teachers across the country who received the Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year Award. Recipients were chosen based on a variety of criteria, including their commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within computer science education, a recommendation from a school administrator, and compelling, personal anecdotes about their school and students. Scholarship America reviewed applicants and selected the award recipients.
