This week we headed to Page Middle School to surprise Mrs. Elizabeth Banks as Oakland County Middle School Teacher of the Year and as Ann Marie’s All Star.
From holding a student’s hand for hours while they go through life saving kidney dialysis, to cheering them on at basketball games the students all agree Mrs. Banks is certainly an All Star.
“I’m so honored, I’m so thankful, I think I have the greatest job in the world and the fact that I’m recognized for it is beautiful but I just love what I do,” she said. “I love my students and I love my coworkers and my family.”
Parents say she pushes her 6th grade students to excel by letting them know how much she cares.
“She always believes in us and loves us and is funny and awesome,” student Dexter Yu said.
Student Cameron Lyon says Mrs. Banks does more than just show you problems in a book.
“She does actually like demonstrates them in real life and it’s really cool,” he said.
Principal Doug Kelley says Mrs. Banks raises the bar for teachers everywhere.
“Kind of what separates Liz from the other teachers is just her constant and consistent willingness to go out of the way to be there for her kids and to really do whatever it takes to ensure kids are successful,” he said.
A quality her parents who were there for the surprise- say they have always seen in their daughter.
“She engages so well with the kids and she figures out ways to get them interested in something that’s not necessarily interesting,” mom Julie Calligaro said.
Making science interesting, and ensuring her students excel, while building them up both in and out of the classroom.
“They need to know that they are loved and that they’re special,” she said. “I tell them all the time that I believe in them and I care about them and it’s just lip service if I don’t show them.”
If you’d like to nominate someone to be honored as Ann Marie’s All Star email anmarie.laflamme@wxyz.com.
