Elizabeth Vallaire with friends and coworkers on April 8 after she won Teacher of the Year for Washington.
Woodland’s TEAM High School Math and Science teacher Elizabeth Vallaire was selected as “Teacher of the Year” for Washington State, by the Washington Association for Learning Alternatives.
Vallarie was unaware of being selected as “Teacher of the Year” until the awards banquet on April 8. Her coworkers managed to keep it a secret.
“The whole room was touched and there were many proud tears from her colleagues around the state,” Jake Hall, Woodland Public Schools’ Executive Director of Learning Supports and Alternatives, said in a news release.
Vallarie is known around school for her passion and dedication to her students.
“Every student who works with Liz develops self-confidence, knowing that she wants them to be successful, especially our most discouraged students,” Hall added.
With only 100 students enrolled at TEAM High School, Vallarie is able to bond with each of her students and enjoys the small class sizes.
“We feel like a family since we all get to know each other really well, building trusting relationships through all the one-on-one time we have with each student,” she said in the release. “I believe those relationships are part of what keeps a lot of students motivated to succeed; they know that their families, their teachers, and their peers are also invested in their success.”
Vallarie is continuing to expand her education by working towards earning her Masters Degree in Education to teach Special Education.
