Amy Meier

Whitman Post Elementary School, Rockton, IL
Fifth grade

Associate degree | Highland Community College
B.S. | Illinois State University
M.S. | National Lewis University

Whether it’s tossing Koosh balls to students during discussions, snapping fingers to applaud right answers, or having students act out the movement of sound waves, Amy Meier captivates her students – and fellow teachers as well. “There are times when I’m walking by her room and I stop to listen, because she has amazing ways to connect the content to her fifth graders,” says teacher Gina Tuula.

Former Whitman Post principal Georgiann McKenna thinks so highly of Meier’s skills that she uses a video of one of Meier’s English lessons as an example for her graduate education students at Aurora University. “Her teaching strategies capture hearts,” says McKenna.

Meier is a 13-year teacher and trained mentor, a softball coach, a school board member in Dakota, and a mom of two. She keeps parents involved in her classroom through a weekly newsletter and website.

School secretary Brenda Hobson says Meier taught two of her children, including a son who was afraid to speak in class – until Meier was able to instill confidence and love of learning in him. Says Hobson: “Amy’s skill is one of the best gifts that could ever have been given to my child.”