Allison Elkow Named Ridgefield's Teacher of the Year

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Allison Elkow, a 7th grade special education teacher at Scotts Ridge Middle School, has been named Ridgefield's 2016-17 Teacher of the Year, officials announced.

In an emotional speech to the district, her fellow teachers and her students, Elkow discussed many of her influences and the reasons why she teaches.

"I believe in students. I am not a perfect teacher. When I share my struggles with my students and ways that I continue to seek growth, I inspire them. When I share with them the high expectations that I set for
myself, they are more likely to have similar actions in their own lives," Elkow wrote. "When I share them with my colleagues, I gain support. There is so much that needs to be done in order for all students to reach personal accomplishments. Nonetheless, I cannot do it alone. As educators we are spinning our wheels, working hard, trying new things - sometimes we succeed, sometimes we fail -- we grow. When we do this alone, we face obstacles, we struggle. We need synergy, true collaboration, in order for these successes to be abundant. Education of our students, our future leaders, is not a stand-alone activity."

To read Elkow's entire speech, which she initially delivered last summer during a convocation event, click here.

Patch file photo

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