English educator named Teacher of the Year
Published: June 24, 2005
Surprised and honored, a veteran English teacher at Stoughton High School was selected to receive two teaching honors this month.
Ruth Weiner was chosen by the Norfolk County Teacher’s Association as “Stoughton’s Teacher of the Year.” The award was based on service to the community and a high standard of teaching.
“A classroom must be an active-busy-creative place, one that bubbles with brainpower,” said Weiner. “If I can recognize it, tap into it, nurture it, and have students apply it with relevancy, then I’ve accomplished my goal.”
Weiner was also recognized as a finalist for “Teacher of the Year” by the Massachusetts Department of Education. After accepting her nomination, Weiner was required to receive written recommendations, write several essays, complete a video and be interviewed by a panel of judges.
“It was a huge process, and very intense,” said Weiner.
The 56- year old Sharon resident has been teaching for 32 years. The last 25 of which, she has been at Stoughton High School.
In addition to teaching English and creative writing, Weiner runs the journalism program and oversees the school newspaper, “The SHS Knight.” She is proud of the fact many of her students have gone on to schools of journalism and have taken jobs in print journalism.
Her personal teaching style is demonstrated not only through writing, but through what she calls “being a partner in education.” For the last 15 years, Weiner has team-taught an American Studies class with her colleague, David Tucker. The humanities class parallels the history of America with its literature, art, music, architecture and dance. It is the only class of its kind in the school.
During the accreditation process, the class was commended as one of the best in the school, according to Weiner.
In an essay she wrote on her philosophy of teaching, Weiner stated, “I seek out programs and ideas that foster independence and personal growth. I approach each student as more than the minutes s/he is with me, more than the present and more than the past. I support each voice in my classroom and beyond because all of us are equal and special, worthy and valuable.”
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