HONOREES
2022 EDUCATORS
INSPIRED
Gift an Educator was launched in 2020 amid the pandemic. If it wasn't evident enough prior to it was most certainly clearer than ever then just how important teachers are. Gwen Beloti wanted to celebrate these educators by gifting them with a bit of golden recognition to remind them that they are seen and valued.
In 2022 we had the pleasure of reviewing hundreds of stories about the amazing work that teachers are doing to support and educate children. If we could gift every single one we would. This year we selected 25 educators from across the country who were nominated by someone who attested to their work and value. Our goal is to increase our reach each year and we look forward to celebrating even more educators next year. Read the notes left by the nominators about how impactful each of these teachers are.
OVER 200 NOMINATIONS
25 SELECTED
AMANI ABUHABSAH
Dawes Elementary School
Chicago, IL
6-8
16 years
"Amani is one of the most kind-hearted, generous individuals that I know. Amani believes that in order for students to be engaged in their learning, it has to be meaningful to them. Because of this, she tirelessly writes grants so that she is able to supply her students with the materials they need for learning.She is continually researching the best practices in order to inform her instruction." - Michelle
Lorissa Baker
Saydel High School
Des Moines, IA
9-12
5 years
"Lorissa is a level 3 special education teacher- working with some of the more challenging special needs students. I started working under her last school year. I have learned so much working under her. She ... goes out of her way each and every day to help & teach her students & to meet their needs. She gets creative and thinks out of the box to get her students excited to learn." - Amber
ALEX HOUSTON
Thelma Richardson Elementary
Dallas, TX
4-5
1 year
"At 32, she is a new teacher. She is now at her dream job!! She works long hours to prepare her lesson plans. She is creative and energetic. Ms. Houston has high expectations for each child. She has the ability to build her classroom into a community. Alex has a good sense of humor. She is kind and gentle."- Linda
Nadine Barthole
NY French American Charter School
New York, NY
P-3
13 years
"She is an amazing teacher who inspires inner city kids to reach for their dreams. She encourges students to strive on being the best versions of themselves. She even started a tutoring program to bridge the gap she sees in the classroom." - Saadiqa
Sylvia Lohay
Stoney Point Elementary School
Fayetteville, NC
P-3
14 years
"Ms. Lohay is an English as a Second Language teacher. She works with children from Kinder-6th grade who come to this country with little to no language. She is an advocate not only for her students but for their families, too. She has a heart of gold and she is always ready to step in and help others.When you walk into her classroom the first thing you see there is a big sign that says “You Belong Here” -Maria
Dr Emily Levine
Cleveland Stewart Elementary
Monroeville, PA
P-3
"Dr Levine is a teacher that gets things done. Her elementary school was the only one in the district that did not have a playground. She decided to raise the $40,000 that would be needed to get the playground equipment. With the assistance of the schools Parent Teacher Association ( PTO ) the funds were raised. Dr Levine is a true inspiration to the Gateway School District, her students and the community." - Barbara
Kimberly Gledura
Wallace Gregg Elementary
Florence, SC
K-5
"She teaches special needs children. She challenges her students everyday with innovative, creative lessons. She does not give up on any of them. She truly cares about her students and expects each of them to live up to his/her potential. While some might see these students' handicaps to be a disadvantage, she finds ways to capitalize on their strengths. She is truly a dedicated teacher who has a real passion for teaching and for children. " - Joyce
Melody Lupinek
Smithridge STEM Academy
Reno, NV
P-3
"Ms. Lupinek teaches children in grades K-5 with autism. This is a tough job. At times, this can be a dangerous job. Ms. Lupinek absolutely loves her students and loves what she does. Not only does she teach them educational curriculum, but she also teaches them true life skills. Ms. Lupinek is more than just a teacher to these children—she’s their biggest fan!. Ms. Lupinek is truly phenomenal as a teacher of children with autism!" - Martha
Jodi Wheeler
Portsmouth West Elementary
West Portsmouth, OH
4-5
"One of Jodi's students had a sheriff's badge on and he was so proud of it. At recess, another boy took it from him and gave it away. The boy was devastated. This broke Jodi's heart to see her student in pain. Jodi reached out to the local county sheriff and told him the story. The next day, he personally brought her a new child's badge for her student. This little boy will be so happy when we are back to school on Monday. Jodi cares for the whole child and not just grades." - Heather
Dina Casabianca
Eau Gallie High School
Melbourne, FL
9-12
"My wife is an awesome teacher! She works with kids with special needs, and the activities she does with them are incredible! They get to do so many experiences that they wouldn't ordinarily do. She teaches them about jobs by taking them on tours of places like the airport, museum, Home Depot, car dealership, and restaurants. She gets them out into the community by doing fun activities like bowling, to see plays, and visiting the mall. She also teaches her students how to be compassionate and help others. " - Herb
Diana Oneal
Rose M Gaffney Elementary School
Machias, ME
4-5
"Diana is one of our special education teachers ,specializing in grades 3-5. She has been an educator for almost 40 years. Her students have emotional and behavioral attributes which make them “different “ than their peers. Diana makes sure that these students are treated the same as their peers, receive an education based on their strengths and abilities and are integrated into their classrooms as much as possible. Her students and parents adore her ! " - Lori
Erin Woodside
Colin Powell Middle School
Matteson, IL
6-8
18 years
"She encourages the students that it is possible for them to accomplish their goals regardless of their challenges. She takes the time to make every student feel unique as they are greeted daily. On each student’s birthday, she makes sure they have a personalized cake. During the holidays, she drives to each student’s home to deliver gifts and a smiling face. " -Urshandra
Priscilla
Turner Elementary
Palm Bay, FL
P-3
24 years
"Ms. Hudder is incredible! She goes above and beyond every day to help students and families get what they need. She has delivered groceries to families, bought shoes and clothes for kids, and assists families in crisis. Ms. Hudder advocates for students and helps them get the services they need." - Dina
Patti Quimby
St. Matthew Catholic School
Campbellsport, WI
P-3
43 years
"Mrs. Quimby is a preschool teacher who really makes a difference for students. She is the first teacher my two girls ever had in the classroom and has set the stage for their educational journey. She has positively impacted both their lives as well as our families. I can only hope that Mrs. Quimby will also be able to be there when my 8 month old son gets to be in 3K." - Jamie
Megan Woodman
Rochester Middle School
Rochester, NH
6-8
"Mrs. Woodman is an amazing teacher, leader and colleague. Megan shows up every day bringing standards of excellence, open arms, humor and strength to our public school. Mrs. Woodman builds bonds with her students that keep them holding their heads high and coming back to see her and their team, BU year after year. She has kept our special education department together and laughing through some of the most difficult years teaching has seen in our present day." - Kate
Danielle Della Ratta
S.S. Dixon Primary School
Pace, FL
P-3
"Danielle is a first year teacher of 1st grade[...] Danielle works til all hours of the night after dinner with family to make sure her students are receiving the very best instruction and fun lesson plans. She continues to think of innovative ways to help each student according to their need and how they best learn while making the lessons fun and educational. Danielle has a heart of gold and will drop everything to help a friend or student be better at what they what to do and she is always willing to place others before herself.' - Peter
The Project
Around the onset of the pandemic so many teachers were among the many heroes on the front lines showing up for our children. We wanted to make them feel special so in 2020 we launched the Gift an Educator Project. We invited our community to nominate an educator in their life. We've now gifted teachers from all across the country. We continue to value the contribution that they make to our children every day. You can nominate your favorite teacher for a chance to win Gwen Beloti jewelry this holiday season. It takes just a couple of minutes to shout out that special person. Nominations open at the beginning of Teacher Appreciation Month, May, and close early November. A number of educators will be selected late November and gifted in December, just in time for the holiday season.
Nominations will open for 2023 on May 1st during Teacher's Appreciation Month. Join our mailing list for updates.
The Project
Around the onset of the pandemic so many teachers were among the many heroes on the front lines showing up for our children. We wanted to make them feel special so we launched the Gift an Educator Project. We invited the community to nominate an amazing educator in their life. We've now gifted teachers from all across the country. We continue to value the contribution that educators make to the livelihood of our children every day.