AURORA | A social studies teacher at Rangeview High School has won the title of 2013 Teacher of the Year from the Colorado Department of Education, officials announced Friday.
Amanda Westenberg, the social studies department chair at Rangeview High School and an educator with eight years of experience, beat out teachers from Adams 12, Boulder and Summit school districts for the honor. As the 2013 Teacher of the Year, Westenberg will attend a ceremony at the White House and a week of space camp in the coming year, officials said. Those ceremonies will come in addition to speaking engagements and professional development classes and workshops, officials said.
The Colorado Legacy Foundation, Adams State College, SMART Technologies, Colorado Free Masons and Blue Bell Ice Cream will donate money to . Last year, sponsors contributed about $20,000 to support the winner’s school and allow the Teacher of the Year to attend workshops and take part in speaking engagements.
In her time at Rangeview, Westenberg has developed advanced placement curriculum and stressed career and post-secondary skills. The award was based in part on Westenberg’s classroom instruction and student achievement results.
In a statement, Rangeview Principal Ron Fay said Westenberg is a “dedicated, talented educator who has a positive impact on students and colleagues. She understands the learning process to a degree that is rare.”