Ocean City High Teacher Finalist for National Teacher of the Year

More congratulations are due for Amy Andersen from Ocean City High school on her selection as a finalist for the National Teacher of the Year Award. In October, Andersen was named the 2018 NJ State Teacher of the Year.

Thursday, the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) announced that Andersen has been selected as one of four finalists for the 2018 National Teacher of the Year.

Anderson, an American Sign Language teacher, was selected as NJ State Teacher of the Year from 21 county finalists. Now she has advanced to the finals for the prestigious Teacher of the Year award. This is the first time that a New Jersey teacher has been a finalist for National Teacher of the Year.

“I am truly humbled to have been named a finalist for National Teacher of the Year, and I am proud and honored to represent the fantastic teaching taking place across New Jersey,” said Amy T. Andersen. “I believe all children deserve to have a voice, no matter how different, whether signed or spoken, and a way to express that voice. I am excited to have this opportunity to bring attention to American Sign Language, deaf culture and the global benefits of being bilingual.”

Andersen started in 2004 as a special-education teacher at Ocean City High School, before transitioning to the ASL program. Over the years, several of her students have decided to pursue careers in teaching the deaf.

We are especially proud because Amy Andersen was one of our Lite Rock Teachers of the Month in 2017, nominated by our listeners.

The National Teacher of the Year program is run by the CCSSO. One of the four finalists will be named the 2018 National Teacher of the Year this spring, and will spend the next year traveling the country to represent educators and advocate on behalf of teachers and students.

Good luck, Amy!

Here is a video we recorded with Amy Andersen and her class at Ocean City High School performing a song in sign language...