Last Thursday, a Success Foundation celebration recognizing staff from all parts of Greeley-Evans District 6, Greeley West’s very own Mr. Nathan Evans won the ‘Rookie of the Year’ award. This award is to recognize any teacher with less than three years of experience for their excellence. Nominations are done anonymously by fellow staff members.
As a second-year teacher at West, teaching higher level Spanish classes, and a West graduate himself, Evans was honored to receive this award and was even slightly shocked “I was incredibly honored and thankful for the nomination—and genuinely astonished that I won,” he stated.
He went on to talk about how rewarding being a teacher is but also how hard it can be, “Teaching is a rewarding profession, but just like any career. it can be hard starting out. I have had many fulfilling moments but also moments of profound self-doubt,” Evans explained.
Ms. Naomy Lopez, one of the other Spanish teachers at West was very proud of this achievement for her coworker. “I am so proud of him. I know that he has worked so hard throughout these past two years and he totally deserves this award,” Lopez said.
Lopez added, “The passion, dedication, and kindness that he puts into his lessons and classes is very noticeable and I know that multiple students appreciate it too. He is a kind and noble teacher who listens closely to his students and their needs. He has even taught me a lot”
Evans although very grateful, still believes his peers at work deserve these same awards. He believes his supporting friends and family are why he has gotten as far as he has. “I can think of a lot of other new teachers that deserve recognition like this just as much as I do,” Evans said.
“I owe my journey thus far to many around me who have supported me and tarried with me in difficult moments. I feel like this award belongs somewhere in between me and those people,” Evans added.
