Audrey A.

Chandler Traditional Academy - Independence Campus

Miss Askins exemplifies a teacher that goes above and beyond at every opportunity. Her passion and dedication to enriching the learning experience for every student that is in her class is evident through the smile that greets them as they enter through the door of the classroom. Audrey was instrumental in obtaining the necessary funding and approvals from the District and organizing the 4th grade field trip to the Grand Canyon to build upon what they have learned about Arizona history and geology. The 4th graders couldn't have been more excited - little did they know they would actually be learning as well! My son, too, was among those excited kids, but one week before the trip, he broke his foot and ended up on crutches with clear instructions not to put any pressure on the foot for several weeks. He was in good spirits as we recounted some of the things that he would miss or have to reschedule, except when the realization set in that he would have to miss the Grand Canyon trip. Tears fell from his stoic face. A broken foot didn't stop Audrey, though. She secured the use of the school wheelchair, called the Grand Canyon to ensure the path was wheelchair accessible, then called me to tell me her plan to push my son the whole time so that he didn't miss out on the experience. "Are you sure?" I said shaking my head. Audrey's reply was a simple, "Absolutely". So pushed she did - and in the process gave my son and the rest of the 4th grade students at CTA an experience to remember. She "pushes" in the classroom as well; raising the bar and somehow getting each student to set high expectations for themselves whether it be academically or socially. Audrey has an open style of communication with the students and parents, a key element to the success in education. Each student leaves Audrey's class better prepared for the grades and life ahead of them. Audrey is the kind of individual that should Teacher of the Week and I am thankful for the year we have had with her.

Signed,
Suzi Milovanovic