Music that Describes Julie
Julie West was nominated by an anonymous family member.
Mrs. West is an amazing educator with a heart for children. During her 15 years as an educator, she has taught kindergarten through 5th grade. She has also obtained her Master's degree. When she was a classroom teacher, she would call every child gifted and say it was her job to find their gifts. The children would always leave her class feeling gifted and positive. She still hears from former students on how she impacted their life.
Mrs. West is currently in a position where she coaches teachers, writes curriculum, and conducts assessments. Two years ago, she saw a high teacher turnover and decided to start a new teacher academy. In this academy, she supports new teachers with feedback and helps them understand different educational issues they're struggling with in the first year.
Mrs. West is currently working on many new projects to increase student achievement.
"Julie is the most positive, inspirational person I know," said her nominator. "She brings joy to her job, and education is her passion. Once a week, she shares enlightening stories and uplifting words just to keep the morale high...You will never see her without a smile on her face. Julie finds and seeks solutions. Julie has an amazing growth mindset and deserves to be recognized whenever possible."
Mrs. West was my third grade teacher. She was kind and always happy. When I struggled to learn she would come up with different ways for me to approach things. I love Mrs. West!!!!
Mrs. West was such a caring and compassionate teacher. She always looked for the best in every child.
Over 40 years is a long time to love my friend!
Julie is the most genuine, kind and driven woman I know! Her passion is to give to others in a way that betters the other person.
Her work ethic pushes her to accomplish goals she puts in place, all while wanting to make a difference in the lives of people she encounters!
I can honestly say I am better for knowing her!
Julie is truly an outstanding educator. Julie took me under her wing and provided coaching during my first year teaching. She always treated me respectfully and as a friend. I had the great opportunity to be apart of her first New Teacher Academy. This program provided me with strategies and confidence to conquer the good, bad and the ugly that you face during your first year teaching. Not only was she a huge mentor, she also supported me emotionally through the loss of a parent. Julie picked me up so many times while I was down and held me up even when I was shining bright. She helped form me into the teacher I am today. She has taught me to always love and cherish the time I have with my students. Thank you Julie for all you do! You hold a very special place in my heart.
Julie West is a ray of sunlight even on a dark and cloudy day. She is one of the most supportive and loving people I have ever met. She helped me grow as a teacher so much while we worked together. I know she had struggles and stress of her own, but she was always there with a big smile and a piece of advice. I’m certain she remembers the times I came to her office in tears because I felt like I was failing my students after an unsuccessful assessment or trouble during a lesson. She was always quick to listen and reassure me in those moments, and it built my confidence so much as an educator. It helped me to come back stronger and be more successful. I will always appreciate her.
Julie is a true ray of sunshine in the middle of a storm. She is a hard worker who is solution oriented and always lends a helping hand. As I started my first year of teaching she consistently reached out and offered support to make my life easier. Without her constant support and check-ins I would not of thrived in the classroom. Julie's positive attitude is infectious. Her desire to make the education field better makes teachers want to become the best they can be. Julie is a true difference maker!
Julie is an amazing educator who has touched so many lives in a remarkable way. Julie’s greatest gift is developing relationships with students of all ages, colleagues, friends, neighbors and strangers. Her personality and enthusiasm for all people shine like a beacon of love, patience, caring and kindness. She is passionate about teaching and learning. Julie is always willing to reflect and grow herself. I have mentored many educators in my many years of service in education , and I can truly say she made a difference in my life. Julie West represents the best of the best as a teacher and learner.
Mrs. West impacted my life deeper than she will ever know in 4th grade and the lessons she taught me then have stuck. She taught me to love and understand others and to be a kind soul to everyone I meet. She never failed to make me feel special. To this day I know I could go to her if I needed to, because she is the kind of person who will invest in your life and not stop just because the job title ends. She is truly deserving, and one of a kind.
Julie West is an amazing person who is worthy of this award. Through watching her pursue her passion through education, I have seen the impact she has had on not only on students, but on incoming new teachers as well. I watched her develop the new teacher academy. I was in awe of her dedication and the countless hours of research she did to better the school district. She went above and beyond of what's expected of her, to benefit the faculty and the students. You can tell she truly cares for the students and teachers of her district. She has a passion for mentoring and helping incoming teachers to develop love for their craft of teaching. I have never seen a woman so dedicated to helping others. She is such a dependable person there for you no matter what not only in her career but also in her personal life. She is a great mentor, educator and life changer.
Julie West is a true life changer. As a student of hers, she helped me grow and develop into who I am today. As I am now in college, I still look back to see she was the one who truly motivated me to succeed in my life. Despite hardships in my personal life, Mrs. West was like my second mother to me and went above and beyond in my life as my teacher. She would bring me jackets when I did not have the appropriate clothing for the winter and she would never let me go hungry. I do not think I would be in college today and on the path that I am on if it weren't for her. She has inspired me to pursue education because I hope to have an impact on children as she does. We still stay in touch and she continues to inspire me everyday. She truly deserves this award.
While it is easy to say that many educators have a heart and passion for students and teachers, such labels almost feel limiting when you try to describe the dedication and love Julie West pours into her craft. She is truly a beacon of compassion and hope for everyone she crosses. Her insights into how we can progress and move education forward, not just at the school level but at a system level, is refreshing and inspiring. I have had the pleasure of working with some amazing educators during my career, but Julie is absolutely one of the most reliable, most innovative, and most people-oriented individuals I have ever met. She is a great coach, a great teacher, and a great friend. She is the very definition of a lifechanger.
There is no better teacher to receive this award than Julie. Both of my children were in her second grade class at Swanson Elementary School in Palmer, Alaska. Both of my children are now in high school. We first heard she was going to be my daughter's teacher just weeks before school was to start because the assigned teacher moved out of state. As my daughter is our oldest, I was apprehensive to have a new teacher not just to our school, but to Alaska. My apprehension was ill-placed as soon as we met her and spent just 15 minutes in the classroom. She welcomed those little second graders with open arms and a huge smile. Everyone was immediately comfortable in her room. She seamlessly integrated learning into a comfortable and welcoming classroom. She had high expectations for her students, but all they felt was caring. I knew there was no other teacher for my son, two years later when he was a second grader. Both my children are different learners, yet both had the perfect teacher. She livened up her classroom with a hip-hop class and a beatnik poetry day. Julie made sure each child knew they were special and had a gift. On the last day of school, she sat the class in a circle and made sure each one knew how special they are. To this day, both of my children consider Mrs. West one of their favorite teachers and when I look back on that year, and the work from her class that I saved, it is easy to see why.
As I'm finishing my freshman year in high school, I look back on my elementary days with a smile. Mrs.West is my reason to smile. She taught my second grade class back here in Alaska. I still remember the day she let us know that she was moving and we wouldn't be able to see her next year. The class was distraught as she had positively touched every one of our childhoods. On that last day I recall almost missing my bus after school because I wanted to say one last goodbye. She made the class a safe and fun environment, and I have many memories to prove it. She also led an after school hip-hop club, and it lived up to its hype!! I met many friends in her classroom, and she made it my best elementary year. When I heard she was nominated, I was delighted, and I don't believe their is anyone more fit to receive this recognition.
I am a junior now, but Mrs. West was my second grade teacher. She was by far one of my favorite teachers. She always put her student's needs first, even if that made teaching a little harder for her. When I think about some of my favorite memories from elementary school, I think of second grade.
Mrs. West was my Kindergarten teacher. I am in sixth grade now, and she is still one of the most caring teachers I have ever had. She always made me feel special and loved. She made a big impact on my life by making the beginning of my school career memorable and encouraging. I think that I love school so much now because she taught me to love it so much at the start. She definitely deserves this honor!
I have known Julie West for over 18 years. Julie, is truly one of the best people I know. She is giving, brings the best out in everyone and is a example to us all. She encourages her students to strive for success in a loving way. I feel blessed to have her in my life. She lives with purpose and touches every life in a positive way.
Julie West is a positive, innovative and hardworking person. She could have chosen any profession. I am so thankful she made the choice to go into education.
I am a teacher that has had the privilege to work with Mrs. West. She promotes a positive, “upbeat” attitude, encouraging, smiling, giving praise as she spreads a love for learning, throughout our district.
Mrs. West is also extremely innovative. She notices problems that need solving, and goes after them. With her innovative mind, she strives to make everything in education better. Two years ago, she started a program to help with new teacher retention called the Tiger Academy. I have the privilege to work with her as a mentor teacher on the new innovative program she started. She uses her time each month to meet with new teachers in the district, helping them with frustrations, anxiety and all other emotions that happen your first year in education. She guides them, providing them with skills they will need to have a successful year. She is dedicated to grow excellent educators for our district through this program.
She is hardworking. Working on curriculum to lead our students to success, going into classrooms while guiding teachers on best practices all the way to encouraging new teachers through our “Tiger Academy” while also giving out positive messages of encouragement to all our staff.
Mrs. West is the combination of all that is good in education today. I am so proud and blessed to know and work with this amazing professional.
I had Julie West on staff at our elementary school in Alaska, and boy was she a great hire! Her relationships with students, staff, and families were positive and professional. More than that her positive relationships allowed her to get the best from her students and colleagues alike! Her attitude was always one of "Lets roll up our sleeves, and accomplish great things for these kids". She continually looked for ways to improve not only own professional skills and success, but to encourage and motivate those she worked with. Im so glad to know she is working with teachers to help build success for their students!
Julie West truly is a life changer. I knew her in my early childhood and watched her go back to school while simultaneously teaching and raising two children of her own. When she became my teacher in third grade, she taught me many lessons that have benefited me in and out of the classroom. She teaches her students to challenge themselves and always strive to be better. In my senior year of high school, she was the one person I wanted at my awards ceremony because I owe many of my accomplishments in school to her and the way she always motivated me.
As an adult, I see all of the things she has accomplished in her life and the hard work she put in to get there. It is inspiring that she has taken her talents and success as a teacher and used them to motivate other teachers and students every year. She is always smiling and brings light to every situation. Julie West has changed my life in more ways than one and continues to amaze me in everything she does.
Julie is an amazing educator who has touched so many lives in a remarkable way. Julie’s greatest gift is developing relationships with students of all ages, colleagues, friends, neighbors and strangers. Her personality and enthusiasm for all people shine like a beacon of love, patience, caring and kindness. She is passionate about teaching and learning. Julie is always willing to reflect and grow herself. I have mentored many educators in my many years of service in education , and I can truly say she made a difference in my life. Julie West represents the best of the best as a teacher and learner.
Mrs. West was hands down one of the most influential teachers I’ve ever had. As a senior in college now, I still think about how much I loved being taught by Mrs. West in the 3rd grade. Thank you for all you’ve done!!
Mrs. West is without a doubt the most caring and passionate teacher I have ever had. She would always go out of her way to make sure every student's needs are met while creating a safe, fun and stimulating learning environment. Mrs.West's passion for education was always apparent from her creative lesson plans and positive attitude. Whether you were having a rough day or struggling with class material, Mrs. West was always there to lend a helping hand. Mrs.West had a way of getting students engaged in learning so much that it felt more like fun than work. It is no surprise that she is now a coach for teachers. I can not think of a person better for instructing educators on how to write curriculum and conduct assessments. Mrs. West was definitely one of the most influential teachers I have ever had. I have never had such a great experience in an elementary classroom setting. Mrs. West is selfless, kind, knowledgeable and just a true joy to be around. I can not think of any educator more deserving of the Lifechanger of the Year award.
Mrs. West was hands down one of the most influential teachers I’ve ever had. As a senior in college now, I still think about how much I loved being taught by Mrs. West in the 3rd grade. Thank you for all you’ve done!!
I just completed my senior year of college; my 16th year of school. After having 100s of teachers, there are few who I remember well. Mrs. West is one of those teachers for me. She was my third grade teacher and I still remember that being one of my favorite years ever of school. The classroom environment was always encouraging and positive. Mrs. West deserves all the recognition in the world!
