The Churchville-Chili Senior High School chapter of National Honor Society (NHS) has selected French teacher Joanne Votsis as the 2020-21 Teacher of the Year. Votsis, who has shared her passion for languages with students at C-CSHS for 23 years, currently teaches French II, French IV, French V, and MCC dual credit French. The NHS honor is very special for any teacher, as the recognition comes directly from students.
“My students are the most important part of teaching!” Votsis said. “I love getting to know each and every one of them. Mostly I love their energy, their enthusiasm, and seeing their interest when I introduce them to other cultures, not just France and French culture. I feel it is important to help make students feel like there are other worlds out there, and they are able to go and experience it all in order to understand the world and the people they share this world with.”
C-C High School Principal Scott Wilson said, “Ms. Votsis is an exceptional teacher whose influence and inspiration on our students is far-reaching. The secret to her success in the classroom is the powerful relationships she establishes with her students as they learn to speak French. Her students excel and truly work hard for her because they want to make her proud.”
All NHS student members are invited to submit nominations for the honor of Teacher of the Year. Here is just one excerpt from the many 2020-21 nominations: “It is clear that Ms. Votsis is passionate about French and teaching. Her classroom is filled with positive energy and she is always laughing and smiling. She has an ability to really connect with her students and make everyone feel included in her class … Ms. Votsis is one of the reasons that French has become one of my favorite subjects in high school.”
Here are just a few excerpts from the many 2020-21 nominations:
•“Ms. Votsis’ teaching style is effective and fun at the same time. She always made sure to challenge us … Ms. Votsis also never makes students feel embarrassed when they pronounce or conjugate something incorrectly. Overall, she is a wonderful teacher and deserves to be recognized.”
•“I feel that she truly connects with her students and always wants to get to know them. She cares deeply about us and wants to see us do well, which I truly admire about her. French … is a challenging class with a pretty heavy workload, and I feel that she ensures that we maintain a low stress level because she knows that we have a lot going on in our lives … She is truly a very generous person and a wonderful teacher to have.”
• “She always makes class fun. Even when we are on Zoom she makes sure to include us. She always makes sure to help people if they’re confused, and she doesn’t make people feel bad for getting the answer wrong.”
•“She is an amazing teacher who makes sure that her students understand every lesson before she moves on. She makes time for anyone who needs extra help in French. Not to mention that she is a very generous, kind and funny teacher.”
•“I have always felt that she is one of the teachers who I would trust the most to go to if I ever needed to do so. The environment that she creates with her teaching is one that makes me excited and ready to learn French … with her as the teacher it doesn’t feel like an impossible task to learn a new language, but something that is more fun and exciting to do.”
•“This year she has taken on extra course loads, teaching five different grade levels of French, a tremendous undertaking. Paired with the extra stress of what this year has looked like … she has risen to the occasion … Her positive attitude and joyful spirit make learning fun in such a difficult year. When students come into class and seem upset, she is able to cheer them up and make them laugh, brightening so many students’ days. She is more than worthy of this honor.”
•“It is clear that Ms. Votsis is passionate about French and teaching. Her classroom is filled with positive energy and she is always laughing and smiling. She has an ability to really connect with her students and make everyone feel included in her class … Ms. Votsis is one of the reasons that French has become one of my favorite subjects in high school.”
•“Ms. Votsis was my ninth-grade French teacher and I remember her for being incredibly dynamic. Whenever I see her in the hallway, she always greets me with a compliment or some other kind words. Ms. Votsis is truly a great teacher and person.”
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