Civics educator wins state award for dedication to teaching

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Photo by Theresa Carriveau

Civics teacher Mary Ellen Daneels is a nominee for the NEA Foundation Award. English teacher Brad Larson nominated Daneels for the award.

By Hector Cervantes, Reporter

After being nominated for the National Education Association (NEA)  Foundation Award, civics teacher Mary Ellen Daneels will be recognized at state level at the end of March.

English teacher Brad Larson nominated Daneels for the award.

The NEA Foundation award is given to teachers who are active in the classroom and demonstrate excellent teaching skills.

“I was really honored when Mr. Larson, who is the president of our Teachers’ Association, came to me and said he nominated me for the award. There are so many great teachers in the building that do so many wonderful things and I feel special since he thought of me for this award,” Daneels said.

Larson choose Daneels for the nomination because she has done a lot at the school.

“I nominated Daneels because she has been so active in our school. She not only teaches in the school but she has taught other places across the country. She brings a lot of enthusiasm to our government program which is why I decided to nominate her,” Larson said.

Dannels was surprised that she was the only teacher in the state to receive the award.

“As a civics teacher I think this highlights what we do here. I think it shows what people like Ms. Haas does in criminal justice and what Mrs. Deleon and Mrs. Cardenas do for the Women’s Leadership Summit. It is important to empower kids to advocate for themselves,” Daneels said.

At the recognition, Daneels will find out if she will move up to the national level.

“If I was selected for the national level I would be stunned and then will probably ask people ‘really it’s me?’ I would feel an enormous amount of responsibility to use that platform to really put a spotlight on teachers,” Daneels said.