Lake Grove Elementary teacher Cassandra Stephani was recently named as the Communities In Schools of Federal Way Teacher of the Year. She was honored on Feb. 25 at the Communities In Schools of Federal Way annual fundraising breakfast.
The 24 pages of nomination and testimonial letters of Stephani paint a picture of a woman who, with just five years in the district, has created a legacy that will not soon fade.
She joined Federal Way Public Schools in 2006, teaching at Star Lake Elementary School before joining the staff at Lake Grove Elementary School. There she teaches a multi-aged class that includes third, fourth and fifth grade students. Principal Patty Elmer notes that she is skilled at providing appropriate learning opportunities for the three grade levels.
"Mrs. Stephani takes a personal interest in each student's progress," Elmer notes. "She lives the words, all means all, making significant breakthroughs with her non-English speaking and special needs students."
Despite a student population in which three of every four students live in poverty, Stephani has inspired her students to participate in multiple community service projects, including volunteering at local pet stores and collecting soap for Haiti.
But it's the parent and student testimonials that provide the most vivid picture of Stephani's impact, such as that from a mother who will not leave Federal Way for an opportunity out of state, because she believes it's more important for her daughter to have the opportunity to be in Stephani's class; or a second mother who credits a transformation in her child, diagnosed as autistic, to Stephani.
To read more about Stephani and the testimonials, visit the Federal Way Public Schools web site.
