Andrews – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7260 handed out the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award to Ann Williams, teacher of English language arts and social studies at Andrews Middle School, during the VFW’s annual Christmas celebration Saturday night.
The criteria for selecting the local post’s Teacher of the Year ranges from a “slate of programs that stimulate interest in America’s history and traditions and civic responsibility,” according to the VFW’s entry sheet.
Nominated by her principal, Joslyn Parker, the criteria Williams met “exceedingly well” were based also on how the teacher encourages citizenship and community involvement as well as how innovative, passionate and resourceful the teacher is at engaging students with the ideals of democracy and America’s commitment to those ideals and noblest traditions.
Williams said about her varied career in teaching in Cherokee County Schools that she began as a “substitute to see if I would like it, but I found I loved it so I went from there.”
From there, she launched into teaching first and fourth grades before landing the eighth-grade position she holds today. She has been serving in the local school system for 15 years, with the last eight spent at Andrews Middle.
Upon winning the award, Williams said she was “honored to be recognized by such an outstanding group of American heroes. Having an uncle who gave his life in Vietnam also fuels my passion in sharing my respect and gratitude for all veterans.
“World War I is a prime focus in my classroom. I aspire to inspire my students to walk away with an awareness of history, and to be on their toes to see if it appears to be repeating itself,” she said.
Williams attended the celebration with her husband, Dean; son, Blake; daughter Christa and husband Israel; along with her four grandchildren.
About having won the award along with a gift certificate, Williams said she tries in class to “celebrate our freedom by making our classroom a safe space for learning and creativity in a family like setting.”
VFW Post 7260 holds the annual contest each fall for nominated teachers, with local winners becoming eligible for the national level.
Details: Visit vfw.org/FindaPost or facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070906946298.