Andersen Recognized as NJ State, Cape May County Teacher of the Year

CREST HAVEN – Amy T. Andersen, an Ocean City High School teacher of American Sign Language (ASL), was honored by Cape May County freeholders Nov. 28 for being named both New Jersey State and Cape May County Teacher of the Year 2017-2018. 
A county native, Andersen “has made a difference in the lives of her students, and she serves as a model for teachers throughout the country,” stated a resolution presented by the board.
“She ignites her students’ passion for learning, gives them a voice and shows them that their voice is valuable,” it continued.
Her students “go out into the world as lifelong learners, building bridges between cultures, embracing differences in those around them, and changing lives as they go,” it stated.
Andersen received a bachelor’s degree in flute performance from Indiana University and a master’s degree in deaf education from McDaniel College. She has achieved national board certification in Exceptional Needs Specialist: Deaf/Hard of Hearing.
After returning to the county in 2004 from Boston, Mass, where she taught for nine years, Andersen began teaching American Sign Language to 42 Ocean City High School students. Since then, 130 students have learned ASL under her tutelage.
In the past three years, over 85 percent of her students have achieved the New Jersey Seal of Biliteracy. Her program has “inspired a number of students to pursue ASL-related careers, including interpreting for Michelle Obama and Madonna,” according to the resolution.
Andersen was previously Ocean City High School’s Teacher of the Year.
“I am truly honored not only to be the 2018 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year, but also to represent an exceptional school district and county. I am also honored to represent all of the exceptional teachers throughout New Jersey who are committed to offering the best of themselves and inspiring our children every single day,” Andersen told the board.
“When I was 7 years old, my mother took me with her to a sign language class two nights a week. I remember immediately connecting with signing and practicing all the time – I loved those classes,” she added. 
“Once I entered grade school, I started playing the flute, and the more I practiced, the better I seemed to get. By high school, I was going to Philadelphia every weekend for private lessons and woodwind quintet rehearsal, even performing in Moscow with the Trenton Sister City Youth orchestra. 
“Playing the flute was a significant part of my life, it defined me. I was honored to be going to college at Indiana University, where I would study with Peter Lloyd, from the London Symphony. 
The feeling of playing with an orchestra, with the music happening all around me and through me, I loved it. It was magical.
“While at Indiana University, I began taking American Sign Language classes, getting involved with the deaf community and volunteering in a kindergarten classroom of deaf students. And I fell in love – again. 
“There was something pulling me towards teaching. I found the courage to follow my instincts. Holding my breath, I made that phone call home. “Mom, dad…I really want to be a teacher, and I want to work with deaf children.” My parents listened, and they supported me… because they had suspected this was going to happen for a long time,” she said. 
At McDaniel College the other graduate students, including my roommate, were all deaf, many of the professors were deaf, and most of the classes were taught in ASL, not spoken English. She became immersed in ASL and deaf culture.
“I felt challenged and alive. I can still remember the moment it dawned on me ‘I get to do this for the rest of my life,’” Andersen said.
She has taught for 21 years.
“Being a teacher is perhaps one of the biggest honors of my life, aside from being a mother to two exceptional little boys. Teaching is a part of me, it is who I am, who I strive to be. It is an honor to be a small part of each student’s journey. With this honor comes great responsibility because every day we, as teachers, are showing our students what we believe has value,” she said. 
“When I stand before my ASL students, I know some will do great things in and with the deaf community. I also know they all won’t fall in love with ASL, as I did.
“But, I feel the responsibility of ensuring that every single one of my students is going to contribute to society, in one way or another. They will influence those around them. What lessons will they take from their time with me? What lessons will I glean from them?
“My students are completing college degrees, getting jobs as interpreters, speech pathologists and teachers all over the country. About 65 percent of my students test right into ASL 3 college-level classes after graduation.
“More than 85 percent have achieved the Seal of Biliteracy in the past three years, passing the same sign language exam teachers of the deaf are given to earn state certification.
“Michael, who graduated last June, told me that because he tested into ASL 5, the director of his interpreting program said he could complete his degree in three years instead of four.
“My students are learning and excelling in American Sign Language, and for that, I am exceedingly proud,” Andersen said.