Tops In Teaching

More than 100 teachers were nominated by students for the Our Generation Best Teachers contest. Five student judges rated each nominee on: innovative teaching methods, creativity, humor, respect for students and a concern for students outside of the classroom. Here are the winners.

FIRST Place

Garry Ratliff

Sacajawea Middle School

nominated by Melissa Huggins, Tiffany Lordan, Megan Myer and Ashley Ovlen

Ratliff greets his students at the door every day. He tells them, “my head is up, yours should be, too.”

He keeps a small compass on a wall in his classroom to remind him to show his kids direction in life.

“I want to push these kids to the highest level of learning, to be able to analyze and synthesize, not just create walking encyclopedias,” he said. “Companies will want to hire people who can think for themselves. I want to teach them the skills to process information and ultimately become good citizens.”

Ratliff has been teaching for 18 years and, at 61, has no plans to retire. “I still get excited every morning before I come to teach. What I tell the kids is ‘find a job you really love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.’ And that’s what I’ve found here.”

Meyer wrote: “He doesn’t make us feel incompetent, but praises us for our efforts to learn. Mr. Ratliff isn’t the type of teacher who stops at a limit; for him the sky is the limit.”

SECOND PLACE (TIE)

Valorie Godwin

Kellogg High School

nominated by Kimberly Woods

Godwin teaches speech, drama and English with a level of energy that’s hard to match.

Student Kimberly Woods wrote in her nomination: “On the first day of high school, when I was just a scared little freshman, Mrs. Godwin introduced herself as the eccentric and entertaining dramatic arts teacher ready to teach us a little about speech…

“Most importantly she opened up her heart, wanting to (be) a friend for whatever troubles and happiness we face.”

Godwin has taught for 17 years, 10 of those at Kellogg. “I just think it’s the perfect job for me. It’s exciting. It’s interesting. I really like the kids. I love to be around them, to help them, to listen to them. To help them be aware of what’s out there and what they can do about it.”

SECOND PLACE (TIE)

Tess Clowe

Evergreen Junior High

nominated by Nicole Bishop, Heather Stour and Julia Kanago

There is never a dull moment in Clowe’s classroom. “My goal,” she said, “is to make the kids laugh, cry, or throw up everyday.”

Instead of using a textbook, Clowe keeps her students motivated by holding classroom discussions and doing many hands-on activities. “I just try to put myself in the kids’ place and ask myself ‘What would I like to do?

“I’m not going to waste their time. I try to make my lessons something that the kids can relate to,” she said.

“All I expect is that my kids show respect for each other and put forth an effort. But I find that they generally motivate themselves and their energy rubs off on me. Their learning makes me better.”

“Mrs. Clowe’s limitless supply of energy, enthusiasm and good humor are what make her a great teacher,” Kanago wrote.

THIRD PLACE

Patrick Sullivan

Ferris High School

nominated by Amanda Ovlen

Sullivan never has a lesson plan prepared and jokes that he often “goofs around” with students. But despite the seemingly relaxed atmosphere in his classroom, Sullivan is busy preparing his students for college and the real world.

“I’ll do whatever it takes for them to learn,” he said. “I expect the best from my students, and I try to demonstrate that by doing the very best that I can.”

Ovlen wrote in her nomination: “(He is) one of the most humorous, compassionate, honest, and insightful people I know. … Mr. Sullivan goes beyond the call of duty by not only teaching the material but also sincerely caring for his students.”

Sullivan has been teaching for 27 years. “If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t be here.”

His advice to students: “Always do what you like, what you know, and what you’re good at. Don’t chase money. Follow your heart, and money will come after that.”

HONORABLE MENTION Noreen Bechard, home school teacher, nominated by Allison Anderson, Bethany Anderson, Nathan Beaudry, Thomas Bechard, Emily Clark, Jenae Denlinger, Jeni Rasmussen, Aaron Sedler, Elizabeth Stone and Jillian Wylie. “She has an ability to stretch our comfort zone beyond what we think is possible,” the students wrote. Maria DiBartolo, Lakeside High, nominated by Brandon Dombrowsky, Derek Smith, Luke Nervig and Candice Denigan. “Not only does she demand great respect from her students, but she channels that same level of respect back to them,” Dombrowsky wrote. Alyson Fellman, Onion Creek School, nominated by Lindsey James. “Teacher, role model, comedian, counselor, friend — you name it, you got it. You can talk to her about anything under the sun.” Ron Long, Gonzaga Prep, nominated by Missy Carstens. “Mr. Long simply has a charisma about him which enthralls all his students, even those who normally goof off during class. He does not just lecture, he truly teaches.” Jeff Norton, Lewis & Clark, nominated by Matthew Eng. “Former students can still call on Mr. Norton to help them with college recommendations, English questions or just to converse with him about last night’s ‘Seinfeld’ episode.” Elizabeth Rose, University High, nominated by Harrison Grafos. “Because of a variety of teaching styles, it’s impossible to just sit in Mrs. Rose’s class. Students are always involved, which makes difficult material oftentimes fun and real.” Lynda Rypien, Lewis and Clark, nominated by Jared Strasser, Shelly Holliday, Josh Deschamp, Kristen Marx, Andrew Kurtz and Marcus Gaustad. “She’s one of those people that you look forward to seeing each and every day because she always greets you with a big smile,” wrote Deschamp. Cindy Wilson, Orofino (Idaho) High, nominated by Lisa Bausch. “One thing Mrs. Wilson has taught us is that if something in government bothers us; we need to get involved. We can make a difference.”