By Sarah Youngblood
Oak Hall School’s sixth and seventh grade world cultures teacher, Julie Black, is September’s “Eagle of the Month”! Black is being celebrated and recognized for her dedication to teaching and talent in the classroom. She has been a teacher at the Middle School for 23 years. “[Eagle of the Month] is a wonderful way to be recognized by people whom you respect and admire,” Black said.
Eagle of the Month is a way for teachers, faculty, and staff to be recognized and appreciated for their dedication to the school. Each month a different teacher or faculty member is nominated and chosen to be the “Eagle of the Month”, which comes with and win prizes that congratulate them on their talent and leadership. As stated on Oak Hall’s website, these prizes include “an Eagle pin for their name badge, $100, a feature on Oak Hall’s website, and a shout out on Oak Hall’s social media platform”. Faculty, staff, administration, parents, and/or students can fill out the form to nominate a teacher or faculty member whom they think has been positively contributing to the school’s community. People who are excluded from nominations include members on the One School Team. This is a team of the school’s top administrators who meet weekly to collaborate and discuss current topics at Oak Hall. It is outlined on the school’s website that they are looking for nominees with the following traits to be honored as “Eagle of the Month”: Excellence on Campus, Motivation, Leadership, Creativity & Imagination, Dedication, and Communication.
When asked on why she became a teacher, Black stated she loves to learn and be in the presence of people. “It is so much fun planning lessons and projects for the students,” she said. Black enjoys teaching Middle School because of the student’s sense of humor. Her favorite part about teaching is “being in class with students and planning projects.” She jokes that for her 23rd year as a teacher she hopes she “will get things right this year”. “It is a great experience to watch students grow up,” she added. If she wasn’t a teacher, she would be writing children’s books or creating digital curriculum.
Black is incredibly proud of the Middle Schoolers and her colleagues for coming back this school year. “They are working hard and doing everything they can to keep the school open,” she commented.
To nominate a faculty or staff member for “Eagle of the Month”, please visit this website.