![\"Pontifex](\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Pontifex-with-roses.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nNot surprising, the first words in her impromptu acceptance speech were about her students.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy kids have formed a group called \u2018The Pontifex Family\u2019 and they want to know what happened,\u201d she told dinner guests, noting many\u00a0text messages and missed calls. \u201cTheir two requests were that I dab, which I will spare you, and that I drop the mic, but I told them it would be mounted to something and I probably wouldn\u2019t be able to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following the audience\u2019s laughter, Pontifex continued, \u201cTo be in a room surrounded by so many great educators is inspiring on it\u2019s own but to have this award is really an honor. I\u2019m inspired and humbled and empowered and all of the things that I try to do for my children every single day, so I promise to serve in this capacity for you and make everyone proud to make sure you chose the right person.\u201d<\/p>\n
And during the division\u2019s celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, Pontifex concluded with encouraging words for her fellow educators.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just thankful for what you do every day. I know it\u2019s not easy and I know it\u2019s not an easy time of year but we can do it, and if you set a purpose for your why and find a child every day that is your why, I promise that we\u2019ll make it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pontifex was selected as the 2018 VBCPS Citywide Teacher of the Year from among five finalists, including: Sharon Byrd, theatre teacher at Salem High School; Louis Castiglioni, art teacher at Landstown Elementary School; Jamey Lovin, math specialist at Plaza Middle School; and Stephanie Wyman, fifth-grade teacher at Woodstock Elementary School.\u00a0The selection committee reviewed written applications, made classroom visits and interviewed finalists to make the decision announced<\/a> at the annual dinner.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is just another great honor for Shelton Park and, of course, a great honor for Mrs. Pontifex,\u201d said Principal Tara Brewer at school the next day. \u201cWhat makes Mrs. Pontifex so special is she always says, \u2018My kids are my stars. They\u2019re the reason I do what I do.\u2019 She\u2019s passionate about the work that she does.\u201d<\/p>\n Pontifex\u2019s students reciprocate her enthusiasm.<\/p>\n \u201cDoes she deserve to be the 2018 Citywide Teacher of the Year?\u201d asked VBCPS Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence during a classroom visit May 5.<\/p>\n \u201cYEEESSS! Definitely!\u201d exclaimed the students bursting with pride.<\/p>\n \u201cI think my teacher deserved this award because she is an amazing and encouraging woman and she always helps me,\u201d said fifth-grader Carina Phillips.<\/p>\n Classmate Ariah Smith shared similar thoughts.<\/p>\n \u201cMy favorite thing about my teacher is how encouraging she is and how kind she is when we\u2019re having trouble with something,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n Pontifex is modeling what she wants her students to take away from their year together in class.<\/p>\n \u201cThe most important lesson I can teach them is to choose kindness and compassion for one another because they\u2019re always going to embrace diversity and the differences with other people,\u201d she said in her Teacher of the Year Finalist video<\/a>. \u201cThey\u2019re going to have to learn to collaborate effectively and be accepting of the differences of other people.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n