This post was contributed by Christine Bervid.
Stephanie Lotze, teacher at St. Mary’s High school in Annapolis, Maryland,was selected as the Anne Arundel County Independent School Teacher of the Year at the 30th Annual Excellence In Education Awards was held Monday, April 25, 2016.
In nominating Mrs. Lotze, Principal Mindi Imes explained, “Mrs. Lotze brings her passion and ideas into the classroom and she expects her students to do the same. On a daily basis, she implements her philosophy, challenging students to actively learn and acquire skills that build from lesson to lesson. Stephanie is a master teacher who propels students to learn more and expect more of themselves then they ever imagined. Stephanie inspires her students to think and then act. St. Mary’s High School is a better place because she is here.”
My teaching approach is designed to inspire students to build a strong foundation of inquiry, gradually fostering critical strategies of thinking to engage curiosity, said Ms. Lotze. Teaching is a calling. Teaching is something that I feel drawn to to feed my soul. When one teaches with passion, the students tend to listen closer.
After more than 16 years of teaching high school biology, Lotze has found many motivations that guide her approach. Among her teaching inspirations is none other than the Pope. “Pope Francis sheds light on the importance of teaching with passion and humility,” she explains. “Educating is an act of love; it is like giving life.”
This event was sponsored by Anne Arundel County Public Schools and the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
