The 3 finalists for the Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching have been selected. They are

Mary Barber

Mary Barber teaches fifth graders of Saint Egbert School (Morehead City). She earned a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Science Education from Clarion University (Pennsylvania). Barber believes in the vitality of students reading and writing across curricula. These fundamental pursuits uphold in Barber’s words “the importance of proper grammar” and “the impression of neat cursive” as cooperating details in today’s technology infused classrooms.

Mary Barber

Amy Smith

Amy Smith teaches fourth graders of Saint Mary Magdalene School (Apex). She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Dayton (Ohio). Smith acknowledges the multi-generational relationships building legacy of Fred Rogers (“Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”) as her inspiration for developing a dynamic learning community. Smith said: “Students love making connections to real world scenarios and project based learning.”

Amy Smith

Jennifer Stutz

Jennnifer Stutz teaches middle schoolers among English Language Arts curricula at Immaculata School (Durham). She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York – College at Oneonta. Stutz affirms the vitality of “teaching students to understand how they learn,” and empowering students with relevant executive function skills. “This concept helps me design more creative and differentiated lessons,” Stutz said.

Jennifer Stutz