Fulton Homes Honors El Mirage Educator as 'Teacher of the Week'
Kimberly Windish Has 'No Excuses' in Her Classroom, Making Students Work Hard
A great teacher inspires not only her students, but can also inspire other people they meet. Kimberly Windish was honored as this week's Fulton Homes 'Teacher of the Week' for being an inspiration in her third grade classroom at El Mirage Elementary School in El Mirage, Ariz.
Kimberly Windish was nominated by Ashley McDonnell, an Arizona State University education student who was given the opportunity to teach alongside Windish as a part of an ASU program.
"When I think of the kind of teacher I want to be when I have my own classroom next year, I think of Mrs. Windish," said McDonnell. "I can't imagine the growth the students and I will have because of her."
El Mirage Elementary is what they call a "No Excuses University." It is a program that, according to McDonnell, operates with the expectation that all of the students there will go to college. Windish takes this concept to heart in her classroom by setting her expectations high, and encourages her students to work hard to meet them. Windish says her work is never done.
"Getting students excited to learn is something Kimberly Windish does incredibly well each day. That is a lesson that sticks with students, and allows them to excel academically," Fulton Homes CEO Doug Fulton said. "Windish embodies the true spirit of the Fulton Homes 'Teacher of the Week' program."
Windish's hard work has put her in the running to win the title of Fulton Homes 'Teacher of the Year' and receive a prize package containing a cash prize of $300 provided by the Dairy Council of Arizona and Fulton Homes.
Fulton Homes invites students and peers across the Valley to recognize those teachers who make a difference in other's lives with the 12th Annual Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week program, in partnership with KNIX Country Radio. The popular program, which serves to honor outstanding educators, continues throughout the school year, ending in June of 2012.
Teachers nominated will be entered for a chance to win a prize package that includes $300 in cash plus prizes from Fulton Homes and the Dairy Council of Arizona. The winning teacher will be surprised and presented the award by KNIX radio personality, Carolyn Coffey. Recipients of the award will also be spotlighted on the KNIX Morning Show with Ben and Matt, where they will receive special recognition on their Friday show between 6:20 - 7:20 a.m.
At the end of the school year, in June of 2012, the 34 winning teachers will be honored at a special luncheon, where one outstanding teacher will be chosen as the Fulton Homes "Teacher of the Year." Students can nominate their favorite teacher for Fulton Homes' Teacher of the Week by submitting a brief form at any Fulton Homes location or online at knixcountry.com. Winners are chosen based on their commitment to education, career achievements and impact on students' lives.
For more information about Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week, visit
www.fultonhomes.com and click on the Fulton Foundation link, or visit
knixcountry.com, keyword "Teacher."