Woodbury Junior-Senior High School Teachers of the Year - 2020

Hakim Chandler
Junior High School

Teaching middle school students is often one of the most challenging roles in the PreK – 12 education system. Hormones, vast disparities in maturity levels, and a still developing sense of self combine in a combustible mix in the pre-teen, early teen years; educators often have it rough.  It is precisely in this environment that, Hakim Chandler, the Junior High 2020 Teacher of the Year thrives.

Weaving lessons about life and the broader society within the organizational strategies of AVID or the engineering principles of Project W, Mr. Chandler connects with students.  He understands the changing personalities of the middle level child and works to build their social-emotional resiliency along with their academic problem-solving skills. Having graduated from Woodbury High School himself, Mr. Chandler is a mirror for many of our students, reflecting back to them many of their own aspirations. Music and performance are additional ways Mr. Chandler helps to bring joy to his class and the broader school community.

For these reasons and many more, please congratulate, Mr. Hakim Chandler, as the 2020 Teacher of the Year!

Andrea Dougherty
Senior High School

Teachers care for their students. Good teachers leverage that empathy to help students grow on an individual basis. Truly special teachers have a contagious compassion that extends beyond the walls of the classroom to the families at home and the broader community. Andrea Dougherty, the 2020 High School Teacher of the Year, is a remarkable educator whose love for her students permeates everything she does.

As a special education teacher, Ms. Dougherty strives to challenge her students academically, while giving them the proper supports to makes those gains. She helps them navigate the differing demands of their schedule and ensures students are submitting quality work. Ms. Dougherty manages the Instructional Assistants at the high school level matching their strengths to subject areas to best help students. As the special education and related arts department chair, Ms. Dougherty helps lead the biggest teacher group in the Junior-Senior high crafting budget proposals, providing professional development, turning-keying district initiatives, and consulting on schedules. She is a hardworking dynamo.

In addition to all of the aforementioned accolades, Ms. Dougherty also helped found the Community Closet. This organization has been providing food, clothing and other items to needy students and families in Woodbury.

Ms. Andrea Dougherty is truly deserving of the 2020 Woodbury High School Teacher of the Year recognition!