First-Year Teaching Alumna Nominated for Award by Her Fourth Grade Student

Michelle (Benjamin) Crisp (Credential ‘13, MA ‘14), just finished her first year of teaching fourth grade at Main Ave. Elementary in Sacramento, Calif. A milestone worth celebrating in itself. But, to her great surprise, Crisp also received a Teacher of the Year award from a local dentist’s office when one of her students, Adrian Flores, nominated her.

“My teacher is the best,” Flores wrote. “She helps us in every way…. She spends the time in every possible way to make sure sure we understand…. One of the things I like about her is when the class does a good job she gives us treats.” 

“[The dentist] surprised me and treated the whole class to a pizza party, gave me a certificate signed by a member of the Board of Supervisors, gift cards, and a beautiful glass apple,” said Crisp. “But the thing that touched my heart the most was what the student wrote about me. I will never forget him or this class. I didn’t decide to teach for the accolades, but when the children I am teaching recognize my passion and how much I care about their lives, I further know teaching is what I am supposed to do.”