Doreen Woodward
Position: Kindergarten Teacher
School: J. E. Manch Elementary School
School District: Clark County School District
City, State: Las Vegas, NV
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Doreen Woodward was nominated anonymously.
Ms. Woodward creates a positive classroom environment by building strong relationships with each of her students. She also has clear expectations from the first day. In her classroom and throughout the school, she provides positive feedback and a reward system that creates a community where the students feel safe.
Doreen is a true inspiration to special education students—her dedication, compassion, and unwavering belief in every student’s potential make a lasting impact and set a powerful example for others to follow.
Ms. Woodward is a truly remarkable teacher. Her years of volunteering as a youth soccer coach, combined with the experience of raising five children of her own, have given her a unique gift for understanding children. She has an extraordinary ability to connect with her students, inspire their confidence, and bring out their very best. While some might label certain students as “bad” or “problem” children, Ms. Woodward sees their potential, welcomes them into her classroom, and teaches them with patience and compassion. Year after year, I hear stories of how her students are not only growing and learning but also feeling valued and, of course, having fun every step of the way.
I have had the pleasure of working side by side with Doreen for the past 5 years. Doreen is able to build a rapport with her students quickly and she gains their trust and respect immediately. She is dedicated to making a difference in her students lives and helps them become the best they can be. Doreen always discovers ways to connect with her students. Her classroom management skills and behavioral strategies exceed standards. Her students are always engaged and thriving. She is always going above and beyond to meet the needs of her students and gives of herself selflessly to her co-workers.
Doreen has an amazing impact on our Las Vegas community. She is an incredible support and coach to my kids. She was kind, encouraging and very inclusive. She helped my kids develop a love of soccer and keep my kids safe in environment that was like family.
I’ve known Doreen for decades. From being a mother, to her impact in the LV Soccer community, to her path to becoming a teacher. I’ve worked closely with her in the many facets of the World of Soccer. Her strength has always been to help children, of all ages, become more confident in their lives, and to help develop life skills they can use throughout their lives. She is extraordinary in her ability to help children grow into productive adults. The kids she has worked with continually come back and thank her for how she helped shape their lives. Even in times when she was injured, she never took time off from working with the youth she was in charge of. She is incredibly passionate in her responsibilities that she accepted in helping the youth who cross her path. I am confident in her abilities to become the best kindergarten teacher in the Clark County School District, helping every student fortunate enough to be in her class, to become the best person they can become.
I have known Doreen for over 35 years and she has always been a great teacher, first as a coach with the girls soccer league for years. She would teach girls that had no experience the basic skills and develop them into good soccer players. She did this for years even after her daughters were not on her team. She was an age group commissioner which handled a group of coaches. She was involved with the board of the Silver State Girls Soccer League for years and developed the youth referee program each year, which included training and scheduling for all the soccer games.
Later she joined CCSD as a roving special SPTA where she went into troubled classrooms and helped teachers and other SPTA’s figure out ways to teach the special ed students better. She was always coming up with great ideas to help them achieve their goals in the classroom. During her work as a support staff she attended college to earn her teaching credentials. Her dedication to her students has set her up to be a very special teacher with CCSD.
I have had the privilege of working with Doreen Woodward on and off for nearly 20 years. Affectionately known as “The Child Whisperer,” she has an extraordinary gift for connecting with children from all backgrounds, each with their own unique cognitive and social-emotional needs.
I have witnessed her meet children exactly where they are in that moment whether they need a burst of humor, a patient explanation of rules and expectations, or simply a caring presence. Doreen instinctively knows which approach will open the door to trust and growth.
Her work has spanned many roles: beginning as a support staff aide in classrooms, moving on to provide short-term behavioral support, and now thriving as an exceptional teacher. In every role, her influence has been profound. Whether she works with a student for a single day or an entire school year, she leaves an imprint that is nothing short of life-changing.
Mrs. Woodward is an amazing colleague. She is always to share ideas, resources, and her knowledge. She loves every student that walks into the school and it is very apparent in the way she interacts with everyone not just her own students. She creates a culture of community in her classroom and instills in her students the love of learning. She always makes sure that her students have anything they need not only in the classroom but also outside the classroom. She creates an amazing relationship with all of her student’s families and genuinely cares for their wellbeing. She is such an amazing person and I am very thankful that I get to work with her.
I’m thrilled to see Mrs. Woodward nominated for this award—it’s so well deserved! Their dedication, professionalism, and positive attitude make a real impact on everyone they work with. Whether it’s going the extra mile for a project or supporting the team with a smile, Mrs. Woodward consistently sets a high standard. She has clear expectations and challenges her students to raise to the occasion. Congratulations on the nomination—your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed!
Mrs Woodward is an incredible asset to our team! She is always willing to lend a helping hand and takes the time to explain exactly what needs to be done in a hands-on practical way. Her energy, enthusiasm, and outgoing personality light up any room she’s in. She takes on the biggest challenges and handles even the smallest details with care and precision. What makes Mrs Woodward truly stand out is her dependability and dedication. She always shows up with a positive attitude and goes above and beyond to ensure that everyone around her is supported- weather its staff or her students. When it comes to her students, Mrs Woodward puts them first in every way! From school supplies, to clothing, food, and advice , she makes sure every child has what they need to succeed. She’s not just a teacher-she’s a lifeline for many. She is sharp, resourceful and incredibly knowledgeable. Whether it’s bulletin boards, lesson planning, or modeling great teaching practices, she does it all-and she teaches others how to do it too. As a substitute, I can confidently say that Mrs Woodward has empowered me so much that I feel like I already have a degree. Without her guidance and support, I don’t know where I’d be. Mrs Woodward is the kind of person every school dreams of having- when she’s around, nothing goes unsolved. I am honored not only to call her my coworker, but a “True” friend.
Thank you for the opportunity! Be Blessed.
Ms. Woodward is an incredible person. She is kind, helpful, and always willing to support those around her. Her work ethic is truly inspiring she is constantly thinking of ways to improve and create better experiences for the students she works with. Her dedication and compassion make a lasting impact on everyone she meets.
I have known Doreen for 27 years. She encouraged this soccer dad to join the referee group and give back. I was led by Doreen and her husband’s generous hearts and time. Soccer is a sport I loved to play. Doreen is the kickstart to what became a professional career for Me. She taught Me many things and was a great listener, who challenged me with a kind manner. I have followed her journey to teaching and any student in her class is blessed with a ‘natural’ educator who cares.
When you first meet Doreen, one of the first things you’ll notice is her radiant personality. She’s incredibly thoughtful, helpful, and driven someone who puts her whole heart into everything she does.
I’ve had the privilege of working alongside her for 8 to 9 years, and during that time, she played a huge role in shaping the beginning of my career. When I first started as an SPTA, Doreen took me under her wing, mentoring and guiding me. Every time she stepped in to help, you could feel the passion behind her actions and see the impact she had on the students she worked with.
Now, nearly a year into her role as a full time teacher, she’s living out her lifelong dream and continuing to make a powerful difference in children’s lives every single day.
I met Doreen when I was 5 years old. She was my youth soccer coach. As a 5 year old I was very shy and timid. At one point my front two teeth became loose. I was terrified. My dad wanted to pull them out; my Mom wanted to pull them out. There was no way I was going to let anyone touch my teeth. Later that week my parents were talking to Doreen about my teeth. She made me feel comfortable and brave. I let Doreen pull my teeth out. Now I am 37 years old. Doreen showed me what it means to work hard and be consistent. I went on to play college soccer on a scholarship, and then semiprofessional. I am very lucky to have Doreen as an educator, a mentor, and a part of my family. There is no one more deserving than Doreen. I love her!
Doreen is the ultimate professional and cares deeply for the students she teaches. She takes her role in the education of young people very seriously and works to create a classroom environment welcoming and inspirational. As a colleague, she is a team player and willingly shares her knowledge with her teammates. She is the definition of a life changer!
I worked with Doreen for many years and found her to be an inspiration to me and others in our work group. She always approached each child with focus and a true sense of caring for a positive outcome. She definitely deserves the title of "Life changer of the Year".
I've known Mrs. Woodward for around 33 years. Her whole life has been dedicated to children, not just hers, but
everyone else's .
She has been a soccer coach, a soccer commissioner, a day care provider, also a confident to all of these children that she has mentored for the years.
Mrs. Woodward has watched them grow from babies to young adults.
My family and so many others have benefited in so many ways thanks to Mrs. Woodward.
Doreen is an inspiration to children. She is always willing to do what is best for children. She is kind and caring. Doreen truly makes a difference in students lives.
I’ve had the privilege of working with Ms. Woodward in some capacity over the past 10 years, and I truly mean it when I say—she is one of the reasons I’ve continued teaching in self-contained autism.
On just my second day in an autism classroom, Ms. Woodward quite literally contributed to saving not only my life, but the lives of my students. Her calm, strength, and experience in that moment stuck with me—and still guide me today. I’m forever grateful for her.
I have worked with Mrs. Woodward and been privileged to see her in action. I have seen her patiently support a student with autism having a meltdown by reminding him of the expectations and providing him ways to get back on track. Mrs. Woodward also provided me with suggestions on how to work with difficult students. Her suggestions and positive attitude helped me do more than just survive my first year teaching middle school students with autism. She changed my life by being a role model and by providing helpful suggestions.
Ms. Woodward is great at what she does! She cares about not just every student in her classroom, but in the entire school. Although she is a kindergarten teacher, she creates a positive space for ALL elementary school kids in her classroom, and motivates and incentivizes each student individually. Especially students that are struggling in school. She is great at meeting a child where they are at educationally and social/emotionally. She sets very clear expectations and practices with each student so that everyone knows what is expected of them and what they are capable of! Every morning her classroom is filled with smiles because her students are so happy and excited to be back at school. And to see Mo the Frog of course :D Ms. Woodward is a teacher that I have NEVER heard a complaint from a student and only hear great things. I love working along side her!
I am writing to express my deep admiration for my friend and colleague, Doreen Woodward, who is truly exceptional when it comes to working with students. She consistently goes above and beyond for every child she encounters, offering unwavering support, compassion, and dedication.
Whether it’s providing extra help, creating engaging learning experiences, or simply being a steady, positive presence, she makes a lasting impact on all those around her. Her commitment to student success is evident in everything she does, and it’s an honor to work alongside someone so passionate and selfless.
Doreen Woodward is a gift to our school community, and I’m grateful every day for the energy, care, and excellence she brings.
