January 2025 Award for Excellence Winner

Teresa Watters, Special Education Teacher, Norfolk Middle School, is the recipient of the NPS Award for Excellence for January 2025.

Thank you, Teresa, for your dedication, hard work, and service to our students, staff, and the NPS community!

Listed below are excerpts from some of the submitted narratives of Mrs. Watter's nomination:

  • Teresa goes above and beyond with her students. There is no limit to what she will do to ensure their safety and happiness. Somehow, she finds the time to ask me how I am doing and if I need anything. She is a team player, and if you are a part of her team, she is willing to do what it takes for her to be successful. 
  • Teresa is a most compassionate educator for her students.  These students are among the most vulnerable and she strives to teach them life skills that they will take with them long after they leave our building!!  She is an exceptional example of what teaching with grace and dedication looks like.  What she does on a daily basis changes lives.  
  • Mrs. Watters truly stands out in her dedication to every single one of her students. She goes to great lengths to ensure they feel safe and happy, often at the expense of her own time, whether it’s skipping lunch, assisting someone in need, or missing her plan period to ensure every single one of her students' needs are met. Even with her busy schedule, she always takes a moment to check in on every member at the Norfolk Middle School and puts a smile on their face. Additionally, she has taken on the role of a mentor for first-year teachers, guiding them through the essential skills of being a LIFE teacher and serving as a positive role model along the way.
  • I cannot think of someone more deserving of the Award for Excellence than Teresa. She is a woman of integrity and a strong work ethic. She accomplishes tasks with great initiative and a positive attitude. Teresa always has her students' best interests at the forefront of her daily professional duties. She goes above and beyond to serve her students and ensure they get the services and support they need to succeed in school and life. Teresa maintains special relationships with her students and treats each with dignity and respect.
  • Teresa cares so deeply for the students and staff in her room. Her primary goal is to produce an environment where the students feel loved and successful and she shows that everyday. Mrs. Watters will always put her students first. The dedication and positivity that she brings to her classroom is unmatched and the students and staff at Norfolk Middle School are beyond lucky to have her! 
  • Teresa has a passion for helping others, especially her students. Her work ethic is second to none, putting in countless hours day in and day out to ensure the needs of all her students are met no matter the situation. The patience she has is admirable!! I can’t say enough how grateful I am to not only have her as a co-worker but also a friend! Teresa is definitely worthy and deserving of the Award for Excellence!

Teresa received her award at the Board of Education meeting on Monday, January 13th.  Please congratulate Teresa on this well-deserved award!