Caleb Schultz, a fourth-grade teacher at Southside Elementary, won the Veterans of Foreign Wars Citizenship Education Award at the local, district and state level.
Members of Siloam Springs VFW Post 1674, accompanied by District Commander Joel Phillips, surprised Schultz with the award at a school assembly on Monday morning.
The program is designed to recognize teachers who teach Americanism and patriotism in the classroom, according to the website www.vfw.org/TeacheroftheYear/. The VFW looks for teachers who promote civic responsibility, flag etiquette, patriotism and a better understanding of democratic values through activities such as field trips, volunteer projects and inviting veterans to speak in class, the website states.
Schultz, who has taught in Siloam Springs since 2011, was nominated for the award by student Hayden Curtis and his mother Sheila Curtis, according to Frank Lee, commander of VFW Post 1674. Hayden Curtis wrote a 350-word essay with the help of his mother outlining why he felt that Schultz deserved the award.
In the essay, they describe Schultz as a compassionate teacher who is committed to education and his student.
"Mr. Schultz is an innovative teacher and an outside the box thinker," the essay stated. "His classroom is set up with restaurant style, booth seating. He often dresses in costume based on various lesson plans of historical characters.
"He is actively involved in the community and supports guest speakers who can add a realistic value to the history of our country, military, flag and government."
The essay states that Schulz believes it is his mission to make sure each child knows they are valued, that they matter and that they are important. It also states that Schulz does a great job of teaching leadership skills, as well as self-control, self-discipline, kindness and making good choices.
"Mr. Schultz believes every single student has a strength, and it is his job to help the student realize what their strength is. He thinks about these kids all the time. He's always trying to think of new ways to engage their minds, to think for themselves. Because if they can think for themselves they are in charge of their future.
Lee said he felt Schultz was deserving of the award because he teaches students good mannerisms, patriotism and uses a hands-on teaching style.
"Mr. Schultz has an incredible reputation among his peers, community, co-workers and students," he wrote in the letter nominating Schultz for the state level award. "He is a highly respected teacher, who instills a love for learning, patriotism and citizenship within his students."
Lee said that Schultz thinks outside the box, teaching lessons through activities such as planting a garden and taking his students to the creek for the day to learn about ecosystems, water quality and fishing.
"He puts in countless hours... and goes far beyond what is expected of him because he loves the students," Lee said.
The post level competition was judged by a panel of representatives from local businesses instead of VFW members to avoid bias, Lee said. Once Schultz won at the local Post level, he had to submit a resume and documentation of his teaching experience before moving on to district and state level competition, where his entry scored a 98 out of a possible 100 points.
"It's pretty awesome," he said. "I'm pretty proud of him."
Schultz' entry advanced on to the national competition, however he did not win one of the three top spots, Lee said.
"He won something much more than a national award," Lee told the crowd of cheering students at the assembly. "He won the hearts of you boys and girls."
General News on 05/25/2016