Brier Elementary School teacher wins NEA award

Gail Yampol, a veteran Kindergarten teacher from Brier Elementary School in the Edmonds School District has been recognized with the 2016 NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence.

This prestigious award recognizes, rewards, and promotes excellence in teaching and advocacy for the association. Yampol was nominated and selected based upon her excellence in five areas: professional practice, advocacy for the teaching profession, community engagement, professional development and attention to diversity.

Such is her influence that graduating seniors still name Yampol as their favorite teacher, because she was strict but caring, full of energy and who caused students to think differently about themselves and their futures.

As a teacher, she understands the different needs and styles her students have and creates lessons that include movement, questioning, and play. She customizes literacy and math programs for each of her students providing highly individualized instruction for her students.

She actively engages parents and grandparents and community members in her classroom as volunteers. She mentors student teachers and new educators and serves on her district’s Kindergarten Advisory team where she can share her knowledge and passion for teaching with teachers from over 60 other kindergarten classes. She is an active member of the Edmonds Education Association, having served as a building representative, with a reputation as someone who encourages others to join in union activities. 

“Gail gives her heart, soul and unrelenting energy to her students, school and Association,” said Edmonds EA President Andi Nofziger. “I can think of no one better qualified for this award.”

As the recipient of the Award for Teaching Excellence, Yampol will have the opportunity to participate in the NEA Foundation’s Global Learning Fellowship.  This 10 month professional development experience focused on global learning will culminate in a 10 day field study in Peru in mid-June of 2016. 

Her school will receive $650 from the NEA Foundation in recognition of the supportive and enriching environment in which she works. Yampol will be invited with other award winners to attend a ceremony honoring them in Washington DC in February, 2016.