Wilma Ortiz Honored as Massachusetts Teacher of the Year

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has selected Amherst's Floris Wilma Ortiz as Massachusetts Teacher of the Year for 2011. The department makes this award each year to "an exemplary educator who demonstrates professionalism, leadership, excellent communication skills, and an outstanding and measurable commitment to student achievement and to the teaching profession."  After being nominated, applicants undergo a rigorous selection process that includes submitting written work, recommendations from supervisors and students, and a teaching video. On the basis of those materials, finalists are invited to an interview with the independent panel of experts who recommend their choice for Teacher of the Year to the Commissioner of Education. 

Ortiz has taught in the district since 1993 and currently teaches English Language Learners (ELL) at Amherst Regional Middle School.  In addition to her responsibilities as a full time teacher at the middle school, she is very active in the Western Massachusetts Writing Project and the National Writing Project. She also teaches in the UMass School of Education, where she recently earned her Ed.D. in Language, Literacy, and Culture.  Ortiz is well-known for her boundless enthusiasm and intense passion for teaching.  Amherst Regional Middle School Principal Michael Hayes says that she has "an amazing energy, lighting up any room she enters." 

Bruce Penniman, retired ARHS English teacher, nominated Ortiz for the honor.  Penniman himself was selected as Massachusetts Teacher of the Year for 1999.    He was also Site Director of the Western Massachusetts Writing Project, where he became familiar with Ortiz' thoughtful approach to ELL education and her remarkable teaching skills. In nominating her for the award, Penniman wrote, "She brings to the classroom a strong social justice perspective, a commitment to culturally responsive teaching, and a deep understanding of relevant theory and research. I have never known anyone who prepares quite as thoroughly as Wilma does.  When preparing to teach a course or even a two-hour workshop, she is not satisfied until she has considered every angle, every possible resource, and every participant."

Governor Deval Patrick presented the award to Ortiz in the Great Hall of the State House on Friday, June 11.  Penniman and Hayes were on hand to watch her receive the award, along with Interim Superintendent Maria Geryk, ARMS teachers Alicia Lopez and Jennifer Jensen, and members of Ortiz's family.  Ortiz will also have the opportunity to shake hands with President Obama next year, when each state's Teacher of the Year travels to Washington, DC as part of the National Teacher of the Year program. Hayes stated, "Having Wilma chosen as the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year is an honor for the entire school and wider community."

See a video of the ceremony at the State House in Boston

Update, May 2011:

President Obama honors 2011 National Teachers of the Year. Dr. Ortiz can be seen in the first row, on the right side of the screen, in black suit with white blouse and dark glasses.