Mr. Stone, ACA’s middle school history teacher, has been named this year’s Upper School Teacher of the Year. His selection was propelled by an overwhelming response from our community. He received a wave of nominations for the award from both parents and colleagues. Mr. Stone received over 30% of the family nominations submitted and nine of his colleagues across the faculty and staff nominated him.

Known for his dedication and passion, Mr. Stone is beloved because of his ability to build strong relationships with students, deliver ACA’s curriculum enthusiastically, and shape student virtues. He generously shares his time and personal stories and works tirelessly to ensure student success. Almost every day at lunch, you will find Mr. Stone on the basketball court scrimmaging his students. The nominations received highlight Mr. Stone’s irreplaceable presence on ACA’s campus. Here are a few examples:

• Mr. Stone takes a genuine personal interest in each student, recognizing each as a full person who is worth the time and thoughtfulness required to truly understand him or her.
• He inspires them to engage with, think critically about, and learn more about history.  He really connects with students and excites them about what he is teaching. 
• An anchor on the middle school hall who teaches every single 7th and 8th grader. Daily, he can be seen playing basketball with kids during his 30 minute lunch break.
• Mr. Stone has been the perfect balance of compassionate and challenging to me this year as a member of his department. I very much feel like he has my back and is always checking in on me and my work, even with all that he has going on.

This year’s Lower School Teacher of the Year award winner is first-grade teacher Mrs. Lamb. Mrs. Lamb is a pillar of love and strength, widely admired by her students, their families, and colleagues. She teaches excellently by gently nurturing each student to their fullest potential academically and socially. She is also an example to her fellow teachers, who even coined the phrase, “What would Mrs. Lamb do?” when faced with a challenge. It is impossible to measure Mrs. Lamb’s impact on the ACA community; however, these excerpts of nominations from parents and colleagues will give insight into how invaluable she is to ACA. 

• Mrs. Lamb is the warmest faculty member I know and ACA is FULL of warm people, so that is saying a lot. She is patient and continuously goes above and beyond to meet the needs of her students. She not only pours into her students but into their parents and caregivers as well.
• She teaches her students with generosity and love, guiding them as well as admonishing them, not just in educational instruction but also in shaping and forming the children’s character and humanity. 
• She is blessed with an innate ability to warmly embrace her students and make everyone feel special. She’s organized, direct, on point, fun, and should be an example to all teachers. 
• She has fostered our daughter’s passions, supported her through her struggles, both academic and personal, and always been a caring, compassionate touchstone for our sensitive child. She is kind, warm, and a tremendous educator, helping our unenthusiastic readers become confident students!
• I have no doubt that my daughter will remember Mrs. Lamb for the rest of her life.