Teacher of the Year Awarded to Amy Pry

LOMA LINDA>> Amy Pry, a special education teacher at Mission Elementary School who serves kindergarten through fifth grade students, was recently recognized as Teacher of the Year by the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce. Along with serving as a teacher, Pry serves as the Teacher in Charge on campus when Principal Denise Fee is not there. During the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce Annual Community Awards and Installation of Officers Dinner, Fee presented an award to Pry. “What is amazing about Amy is that she sees her students’ abilities, not their disabilities, helping them find their potential,” Fee said. “It takes a special person to serve unconditionally, to light that fire, to raise our children’s expectations for themselves, and never give up on them no matter how challenging it might be. That is exactly what Amy does. She inspires, motivates and teaches students carefully and sincerely, just like they are her own.” Pry said she was really shocked and amazed that she was nominated and won the award. “I come into work, put my nose down, and get to work, but I was shocked that my coworkers noticed the work I was doing to empower the kids,” Pry said. Pry collaborates with families and general education teachers on behalf of her students. She also serves on the school Leadership Team, School Site Council, and on the College and Career Advisory Committee. “Not only does she support students with their academics, but she teaches critical thinking, creative problem solving, collaboration, communication, independence, adaptability, self-confidence, and resilience,” Fee said. Pry said one of her proudest moments as a teacher is when her students understand a concept she is teaching. “Sometimes special education kids need to hear a concept 15 times until they finally say ‘I get it’ and are able to work through it,” Pry said. “They climb the hill and when they think they can’t do it, they make it.” Fee said Pry will have her administrative credential completed in June and praised her for managing all of the work while also fulfilling her role as a wife and mother of two. Pry said her children are fourth generation students of the Redlands Unified School District with her son, who is a sophomore in high school, and her daughter, a senior in high school who will be attending University of California, Davis in the fall. “Thank you, Amy, for making a difference and for being you,” Fee said.