INPERSON
Inspiring
Pictured ( l to r ): Chevron ’ s LeeAnn Wainwright , Dr . Heidi Ondek , Superintendent ; Carol Sprinker , Edgeworth Elementary School Principal ; Andrea Croft ; Dr . Andrew Surloff , Assistant Superintendent ; and former Steeler Brett Keisel .
Teacher
Edgeworth Elementary School ’ s Andrea Croft earns Leaders in the Classroom award .
By Nicole Tafe
Edgeworth Elementary School kindergarten teacher Andrea Croft was especially surprised during a recent school assembly when she was presented with Chevron and the Pittsburgh Steelers ’ Leaders in the Classroom award .
Croft , a Butler native and graduate of Butler High School , received a bachelor ’ s degree in Elementary Education from Penn State University in 2004 , and a master ’ s in Curriculum and Teaching in 2009 . In 2012 , she also completed her National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist .
Croft was hired by Quaker Valley School District in the fall of 2004 as a long-term substitute for second grade . The following year , she was offered a contract position as a kindergarten teacher . “ I have loved teaching kindergarten ever since ,” says Croft . “ Kindergarten is a very special and unique year . It ’ s the first introduction families and children have to public school and we work hard to make it a positive experience for all children to help foster and develop a love for learning .”
A day in Croft ’ s kindergarten classroom is extraordinary . “ It is very important to me to create a relationship with each child ( and family ) in our class ,” she says . Croft and her students spend a considerable amount of time developing a thriving , collaborative community of learners that supports one another in a safe environment and encourages and celebrates with one another , any success , big or small .
“ Each day , I strive to ensure children have enriched experiences where their thoughts , feelings , actions , work and personalities are valued ,” says Croft , noting the students in her classroom interact with handson manipulatives each day that allow them to make and create with a variety of materials , explore technology and engage in cross-curricular lessons , all in addition to playing , building , persisting , taking risks and compassionately listening with and to one another . “ It ’ s my hope that students take what they learn in school and continue to think , wonder , explore and discover for years to come ,” she says .
Croft received the Leaders in the Classroom award on Dec . 1 , 2016 . The students and staff gathered together for an all-school assembly that Croft thought was simply to present the Buddy Bench , a gift from last year ’ s fifth grade class to the school . But , as soon as that presentation was over , Edgeworth Elementary
Pictured ( l to r ): Mary Murrin ( Chevron ); Lee Ann Wainwright ( Chevron ); Andrea Croft ; Brett Keisel ; Dan and Roseann Sanko ( Croft ’ s Parents ).
School Principal Carol Sprinkler , who nominated Croft for the award , introduced the representatives from Chevron who surprised Croft with the award . Additionally , former Pittsburgh Steeler Brett Keisel attended the assembly on behalf of the Steelers and gave an inspiring speech to the students and a personalized Steelers jersey and autographed cleats to Croft . “ The cleats are in my classroom as an inspiration and an amazing memento ,” says Croft . “ I truly appreciated my parents and administrators coming to the celebration as well as Mr . Keisel ’ s dedication of time and inspiring words . I was incredibly surprised , humbled and honored to be presented with the Leaders in the Classroom Award and I am truly thankful and appreciative to Chevron , the Pittsburgh Steelers , Inventionland and ReMake Learning for this amazing experience .”
The Leaders in the Classroom Award is presented to teachers based on their ability to provide engaging instruction and curriculum , encourage lifelong learning and inspire a passion for learning beyond the classroom and into the future .
In the past , Croft has also been honored by the Friends of Quaker Valley Schools with the Distinguished Staff Award in 2011 and by the Quaker Valley School Board with the Quaker Valley Award for Excellence in 2015 . “ I have thoroughly enjoyed every day I have taught at QV ,” says Croft . The School Board , administrators and teachers here are wonderfully forward thinking and inspiring . Sewickley is an outstanding community that truly values and embraces the importance of Early Childhood Education , and this makes teaching kindergarten at QV especially rewarding .” n
Photos courtesy Angela Conigliaro
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