One of TJ’s very own math teachers receives a teacher recognition award.
From left to right, Khalae Admans, Aimee Witulski, Ryan Diaz. Photo courtesy of Aimee Witulski
The Jared Polis Foundation’s Teacher Recognition Award is given out annually to 15 teachers working in the Colorado Public Schools System. On Friday, May 6th TJ Math Teacher Aimee Witulski was recognized for her strong commitment to students, ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, and her innovative and effective teaching methods.
Jared Polis is the U.S. Representative for Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District. The mission of his Foundation is to support educators and strengthen communities. “I love honoring exemplary teachers in Colorado every year through our Teacher Recognition Awards program. Caring and knowledgeable teachers are the most important asset in any community,” said Gina Nocera, who is the Executive Director of the Foundation. Every year the Foundation has recognized teachers grades K-12 who have been nominated by someone. The nominees are then graded on a rubric to narrow down the list to 15 lucky recipients.
2009 TJ Graduate Ryan Diaz nominated Witulski for the award. “I was so overwhelmed and shocked that a former student of mine had nominated me for the award, rather than a colleague or administrator,” said Witulski, who was the only teacher to be nominated by a student.
At the award ceremony, held at the Interlocken Resort in Broomfield, it is the nominator who introduces the person being recognized. “Ryan mentioned that he had been looking for ways to honor me and shared some very nice things about me. I am honored and humbled that what I have done made such an impact on his life,” said Witulski, who taught Diaz for two years at TJ and prepared him to receive a five on the AP Calculus BC test, which is the hardest level on the AP Calc test.
Many attended the ceremony to support Witulski for her great accomplishment. “Ms. Witulski is so deserving of the award. Not only does she love math, but she loves teaching it as well. She has all of the talent and hard work, and that makes her a champion,” said Assistant Principal Scott Lessard, who was Witulski’s high school math teacher and swim and dive coach at East High School in Denver in 1989.
Witulski spent her high school career at East High School where Lessard says she was a hard-working academic student, as well as a determined athlete. “I respected Mr. Lessard as a coach, which made me work hard to try to become his best student,” said Witulski, who said she was always ahead of her assignments in Calculus.
“I am proud to have had this much influence on something so extraordinary. This is by far one of my proudest moments in my educational career. This is beyond any pay-off for a teacher,” said Lessard.
Witulski was given a glass apple to commemorate the night of recognition. “Just knowing that I have the ability to impact my students in such a way is the best compliment I could ever ask for,” said Witulski.
