By Mike McClure
North Laurel Early Learning Academy teacher Stacy Puerto is representing the Laurel School District as its Teacher of the Year. Puerto teaches multilingual students in kindergarten and first grade, helping students learning English as a second language and their teachers.
Shown is North Laurel Early Learning Academy teacher Stacy Puerto, the Laurel School District Teacher of the Year.
Puerto is in her 17th year of teaching, her sixth at Laurel. She taught in Baltimore County for 11 years before moving to Delaware.
“It’s (being Teacher of the Year) so exciting, it’s such an honor,” said Puerto.
She said she enjoyed the Teacher of the Year process and the opportunity to reflect on her own beliefs. While working on the questions over the summer she thought about why she loves her job.
“I never knew that I wanted to be a teacher,” Puerto said.
Puerto didn’t always like school growing up, but she loved kids and saw teaching as a way to make a difference and support students. She uses her job to help English as a second language students find their voices while building a community of learning.
“Education is the most powerful way to create connection and change,” she said.
Puerto’s four children cheered her on during the district awards ceremony.
“Everyone’s just been excited for me and proud of me. It’s just so nice to know that you’re loved,” Puerto said. “I’m so thankful for the recognition but most thankful for the people that I get to work with. It really is a school family here.”
She added that she does what she can to make community and schools better.
Editor’s note- This is the second in a three-week series on the local Teachers of the Year.
