Each year, New Orleans Mom has an objective party who is not in education and is not affiliated with the website or any of the candidates who are nominated to select the winner of this award. A huge thank you to our partners at evamor for selecting the winner of our 2024 Teacher of the Year award
We are excited to announce that the winner of our 2024 New Orleans Mom Teacher of the Year is ::
Amanda Gardner – Stuart Hall School for Boys
{Nominated by :: Sarah Offner} Middle School Math can be the pits. Not only is it the beginning of more complex topics that are necessary to build upon week after week, but simply put, it’s just not as fun as when you get to blow up things in a science lab. That is, unless, you have Amanda Gardner as your math teacher.
I have been fortunate to have two of my sons have Ms. Gardner as a teacher while at Stuart Hall School for Boys. She possesses the innate ability to push the boys to be the best they can be, challenge their abilities, all while simultaneously nurturing them and ensuring that a true understanding of each concept occurs. She’s happy to spend extra time before or after school if something doesn’t make sense or needs some additional instruction. She cares deeply about each boy, their growth both academically and socially, and makes math fun!
How can math be fun? When you are learning the Order of Operations (forget the “old” Please My Dear Aunt Sally!), surprise your students by welcoming them into their own operating lab, complete with Scrubs, personal medical IDs and an operating kit to conquer a complex order of operations problem!
A highlight of the year is the Fifth Grade Food fest. Each boy in the class invents his own restaurant and establishes pricing and works to create a digital menu. He is then tasked with taking orders from friends and family for his restaurant and creating their final bills to include all charges, taxes, and fees. Little do the boys know they are learning how to multiply percentages, add multi digit and decimal numbers, and hone in on their computer skills all at the same time. The lesson culminates with each boy brining an item from their menu to class. Somehow, she manages to make learning these topics fun and incorporates real world scenarios so that the boys understand why the skills are important and impactful to their day to day lives.
When learning about circumference and parts of a circle, the boys enjoy Oatmeal pies in class, but not before measuring the oatmeal pies’ radius, diameter and of course, multiplying it by 3.14 to understand the ideas of areas and circumferences of a circle.
Ms. Gardner is a wonderful example of a teacher that sets high expectations for her students and her colleagues. She is creative in the manner she teaches, dedicated to her students and a model educator. She pushes each student to be their best and fosters a love of learning by making math fun!
Not only is Ms. Gardner the 2024 New Orleans Mom Teacher of the Year, but she will also win the fabulous prize package giveaway valued over $3,300+ including:
- A two nights stay with premium room type upgrade as available, a $25 food and beverage credit, and complimentary car parking from Higgins Hotel and Conference Center {value of $875}
- One free Jessner peel with our Aesthetician Monique, 4 EltaMD products, and 2 SkincCeuticals products from Sanova Dermatology {value of $479.99}
- A full family session, 30 minutes long and includes 15 image files, online gallery for social sharing, and print release from Lululove Photography NOLA {value of $399}
- 14K Yellow Gold 11.3mm Satin Bead and Diamond Cut Post Earring from Symmetry {value of $350}
- An edible classroom celebration from The School Bakery {value of $250}
- 1 case of wine, including 1 bottle each of from Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Wells Riesling, Chateau Ste Michelle Light Chardonnay, Chateau Ste Michelle Light Sauvignon Blanc, Liquid Light Pinot Grigio, Liquid Light Chardonnay, 14 Hands Sweet Red Blend, 14 Hands Buttery Chardonnay, 14 Hands Unicorn Rose Bubbles, A to Z Rose, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Brut NV, Intrinsic Cabernet, Erath Pinot Noir from Chateau Ste. Michelle {value of $220}
- A selection of Pelican’s new 2023/24 kids books including: Someone in Louisiana Loves You, Five Little Termites, Gator’s Big Mouth, Michael the Wildlife Detective, Greta’s Gumbo, I know My Louisiana Colors, King Cake ABCs, Rougarou at Mardi Gras, King of the Shoebox Parade, Gumbo Weather, Rainbow Rodney +more from Arcadia Publishing {value of $200}
- Family four pack of Boo at the Zoo tickets from Children’s Hospital New Orleans {value of $152}
- A large board of the recipient’s choice from Sorrenteaux {value of up to $150}
- A $100 gift card from tasc {value of $100}
- A 6 foot balloon garland delivered to classroom from Sparkle & Swag {value of $100}
- A $75 gift card from Bra Genie {value of $75}
- Quatrefoil cuff from Mimosa Handcrafted Jewelry {value of $69}
- Swag from evamor {valued at $75}, and a case of evamor water from evamor {value of $50}
- Gift set including a 12oz bag of Medium Roast Blend and a 12oz bag of Coffee & Chicory Blend from Orleans Coffee {value of $20}
The fine print (please read in full before entering) :: Per the IRS guidelines, the winner will receive a Form 1099 from New Orleans Mom for tax purposes since the value of the giveaway package exceeds a value of $600.
