Fifth-grade teacher, Amber Galvan, with Specht Elementary was presented with the Whatateacher Award in a surprise presentation by Whataburger this morning.
“I am overjoyed,” said Galvan, who is completing her 14th year of teaching. “What a surprise and a complete honor to receive this award.”
The Whatateacher Award is a new, optional category for the applicants of the Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching Award. Galvan was this year’s Comal ISD Trinity nominee. This new category involves submitting a lesson plan which focuses on teaching students social and emotional skills. As the category’s sponsor, Whataburger wanted to focus on the mission and values for which it operates including pride, care and love.
Galvan’s lesson plan won over the judges because it mirrored those sentiments. Her winning plan’s objective was for students to understand the importance of using kind words and what the effects of unkind words and actions has on others. By using paper dolls, which students design to look like themselves, Galvan leads them through the lesson that includes tearing their dolls and ultimately destroying them. This outward appearance helps students understand what it may feel like when kindness is not the objective. Furthermore, students learn empathy and have an opportunity to share their feelings with one another.
“I am happy to know others enjoyed and loved it as much as I do,” said Galvan who has been teaching at Specht Elementary for six years. “It’s a lesson that never gets old, and my students are never too old to participate in it.”
The Whataburger prize patrol presented Galvan with a tub full of Whataburger swag along with a year’s supply of Whataburger meals. They also handed gifts to Galvan’s fifth grade team of teachers, knowing it takes everyone working together for student success. The Specht students weren’t forgotten with Galvan’s class receiving a few Whataburger items as well as the entire student body receiving chocolate chip cookies.
Congratulations Ms. Galvan and Specht Elementary!
Pictures from top -
-Fifth-grade students in Amber Galvan's class at Specht Elementary received goodie bags from Whataburger.
-Pictured from left are Whataburger representatives Linda Benavides and Claire Wooldridge, Whatateacher Award winner Amber Galvan, Whataburger representative Dawn Cole and Specht Elementary Principal Jacqueline Sundt.