Waukee Teacher Receives Language Education Award

WAUKEE, IA — Elizabeth Schupp, a German teacher at Timberline Elementary School, received the Michael Oates Teacher of Promise Award for the 2017 school year at the Iowa World Language Association conference. The award is given to young teachers who show potential and who continually inspire their students to enrich themselves in the languages of other countries.

The association hopes to someday have students speak proficiently in world languages, and Schupp displays that by having her students integrate German-speaking outside the classroom and in their everyday activities, according to a story on the district's website. Schupp's colleagues told language association committee members that her students have started referring to their other teachers as “Frau” or “Herr” instead of “Mrs” or “Mr.”

Schupp studied abroad in Austria, taught English to students in Spain, and traveled to several different parts of Germany and she uses her experience to help educate her students through an engaging style of learning.

The Michael Oates award is named for a past president of the language association who was an inspirational teacher and it honors teachers who show professionalism, passion and intelligence through their teaching style. Schupp received a plaque and a $100 grant to spend on classroom materials.

The Iowa World Language Association represents 1,200 languages and encourages Iowa educators to teach their students about those languages through the five C's: Communication, Culture, Connection, Comparison and Communities.

Schupp follows in the footsteps of 2015 Teacher of Promise honoree Loni O’Grady, another German teacher in the district. The association also named Spanish teacher Christine McCormick from the district's Prairieview School as the 2016 Educator of the Yea for the secondary level.

Photo from Waukee Schools website