Teacher of the Year

Every year, Livewire gives out an award to honor a teacher that has made an impact that school year. This year, it was given to English Teacher Brooke Stivers.

BY KYLA COMBS AND CAROLINE WILLIAMS

First year here and already making an impact.

The Teacher of the Year award was given to a new teacher this year who has become extremely influential in the school.

Brooke Stivers uses her enthusiasm to create an optimistic environment for students. As a previous student here, she uses the skills she learned from her former teachers to help cultivate a learning experience where all students feel acknowledged and cared for. Throughout this school year, she has made a positive impact on the school in a variety of ways.

Stivers has always dreamed of becoming a teacher from a young age. “My mom was a teacher. She’s been a teacher all my life. And instead of playing with Barbies and dolls and stuff, I would play teacher as a young girl because I guess I just saw her do it. So that kind of started when I wanted to become a teacher,” Stivers said. However, when she got to high school is when she really committed to becoming a teacher. The mentors she had in high school helped her come to this realization. Stivers has often looked up to Leo Craven as her mentor since her junior year, which she claims changed her life. “It was just the first time that I was like ‘oh, okay, I like school.’ It doesn’t have to be boring, it doesn’t have to be bland,” Stivers said about her experience being in Craven’s class.

Imagining being a teacher at another school is impossible for Stivers. Being a student here impacted the way she adjusted to becoming a teacher. “I already had the support I needed to become a good teacher. I have people here that want me to be successful, and as a new teacher, support is huge,” Stivers said. She has always considered East a home. “I would rather do four more years here than I’d do four more years at Western. Bullitt East just cultivates a really good, positive place for students to grow,” Stivers said. She claims that starting her teaching career at East was the best decision.

Stivers has evolved greatly as a teacher since the first day of school. Being a teacher can be very challenging, especially when it’s your first year actually teaching. “I feel like I am a completely different teacher than I was at the beginning of the year. I have, overall, become a more understanding and graceful human being. I understand that all kids aren’t perfect, all people aren’t perfect, everybody is stressed out and I understand that better now,” Stivers said. Many students have claimed that through her encouraging mindset, Stivers is always understanding and is there for her students when they need it. Through programs such as the Energy Bus, Stivers has helped the school become a more positive environment. “The Energy Bus is a program that was purchased from Bullitt County, it’s like a full-blown program. I didn’t necessarily start it, but I kind of have been the leader for it. The Energy Bus started as a book. It’s all about being positive and being a positive influence and having fun. And I was like, ‘I live this every day.’ This is just who I am. This is what I live for. This is just normal for me,” Stivers said. This has led students to adore Stivers’ energy and positive attitude that she carries with her everyday, putting a smile on everyone’s face.

Winning the Teacher of the Year award was a surprise to Stivers. “It was very exciting. It just makes me feel really good because I feel like I’ve worked very hard my first year. I had to plan prom and junior ring ceremony, and on top of that, trying to figure out strategies in the classroom and being there for my kids and just working really hard to create lessons,” Stivers said. The award was an honor to her and was extremely validating.

Students absolutely love Stivers and the positivity she brings to the school. She inspires students and always helps them when they are in need. “I love helping people, I have a soft spot in my heart for kids that need help and for kids who want to learn, and so wanting to be there for those kids inspires me,” Stivers said. She is determined to evolve even more as a teacher over her time at the school and hopes to continue creating a positive impact.