Sue Idso, a 5th grade teacher at Mukilteo Elementary School was named Elementary Teacher of the Year. Sue is a gifted master teacher who has a passion for her profession and makes long lasting connections with her students. Veterans are frequent visitors to her classroom whose presentations provide students with topics for writing essays. Sue also readily assumes a leadership role in the planning of Veterans Day assemblies. She is co-leader of the school’s student government, which provides students with an authentic experience in responsible citizenship and democracy. Sue graduated from UCLA.
The Post’s Middle School Teacher of the Year is Marilyn Roberts who teaches at Cedarcrest Middle School in Marysville. One of her goals in her teaching is to bring to life the extraordinary sacrifices made by ordinary people in the defense of their country. Marilyn also volunteers to coordinate the Veterans’ Day assemblies at her school and prepares extensive bulletin board displays. For the past two years, Marilyn has had her students distribute poppies during the week before Veterans Day, the proceeds of which are donated to VFW. Marilyn is a graduate of Seattle Pacific College.
Becky Heckinger was named the Post’s High School Teacher of the Year. She is a science teacher and Activities Coordinator at Edmonds-Woodway High School and assumes several other leadership positions. Becky serves on the school and district curriculum teams, coordinates the school’s dropout prevention program, chairs the school’s steering committee, and conducts leadership workshops for students. It is Becky’s involvement in the planning process that makes the Veterans and Memorial Day assemblies at Edmonds-Woodway so inspiring and meaningful. Becky serves as a wonderful role model for the students at Edmonds-Woodway. She graduated from the University of Washington, and she her husband, Phil, are the proud parents of a five month old daughter, Alice.