Erin DeClue, Pre-K Autism instructor at the Early Learning Center, was named the WINGS and School District of Washington Teacher of the Year, sponsored by The Washington Missourian, during the WINGS Hall of Honor Dinner at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Washington on Saturday, Sept. 28.
DeClue is in her 15th year at the School District of Washington and in education overall.
“I was floored when the announcement was made. I couldn’t believe it. I already had it in my head who I thought was probably going to win. I thought all of the finalists were very deserving candidates,” DeClue said. “I also look at so many different teachers across the district who are kind of my role models, people I really look up to. It’s overwhelming. I’m very grateful to WINGS for this award and for everything they do. This is something I didn’t anticipate at all.”
DeClue is now eligible for the Regional Teacher of the Year, which will be awarded in June. The Regional Teacher of the Year will then be in the running for the State Teacher of the Year, which will be awarded in September.
“Erin is a talented teacher who is focused on building relationships with her students and families. She always works to meet children where they are and help them grow developmentally as learners,” said Early Learning Center Director Dr. Dawn Hellebusch. “Erin is a true team player and a wealth of knowledge. She puts the needs of her students and our programs first and was willing to step into a new role where her skills are needed. Erin is an asset to the Early Learning Center, the School District of Washington, and the teaching profession. I am so proud of her and appreciate her as a colleague.”
“It's been an amazing experience for me at the Early Learning Center. Working under Dr. Hellebusch, she’s a top-notch administrator. She makes this building a very inviting, friendly place. She works for the kids. She works for the teachers. She works for the parents,” DeClue said. “Everyone here is so supportive of one another. It’s a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. My co-workers are incredible people to work with. We have such a knowledge base here. If there’s something I have a question about, I know who I can go to because we have so many experts in different areas.”
DeClue got into education because of her son Ryan.
“I chose to become a special education teacher because of my son Ryan. When he was 3 years old, he was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum,” DeClue said. “Ryan started preschool in the School District of Washington and made such tremendous progress. They did such amazing things with him, and I knew I needed to become a special education teacher, too. I needed to give back to the school district what they gave to me. The teachers gave my son the words to say ‘I love you.’ They helped my son learn to read. They helped him make friends. They gave him a place where he felt he belonged. And, in 2016, they helped him earn his diploma.”
Erin has four sons; Brandon (22) and Ryan (21) both are Washington High School graduates, Noah (12) is in seventh grade at Washington Middle School, and Jack (11) is in fifth grade at Washington West Elementary.
Other finalists for the WINGS Teacher of the Year were:
*Kaycie Schulte, Third Grade, South Point Elementary
*Lindsay Kober, Sixth Grade, Washington West Elementary
*Julie Trentmann, Special Education, Washington West Elementary
*Adam Meyer, Physical Education, South Point Elementary.
SDOW and WINGS Teacher of the Year
Erin DeClue, SDOW and WINGS Teacher of the Year, with School District of Washington Superintendent Dr. Lori VanLeer.
SDOW and WINGS Teacher of the Year
Erin DeClue, SDOW and WINGS Teacher of the Year, with Early Learning Center Director Dr. Dawn Hellebusch.
Teacher of the Year Finalists
Pictured are the WINGS and School District of Washington Teacher of the Year finalists. From left are Julie Trentmann, Lindsay Kober, Kaycie Schulte, Erin DeClue and Adam Meyer.