January 2021 Teacher of the Month

The SMS Academic Excellence Team is thrilled to announce Molly Wright as St. Monica’s Teacher of the Month. Molly received multiple nominations from colleagues and parents, and the impression she has made on both is lasting. From the nominations, it is evident that Molly puts her whole heart into her profession. 

Faculty members praised her for her work in developing thoughtful and creative lessons. As one colleague shared, “If there ever were a teacher that every child should have once in their life, it’s Molly Wright. Her dedication to Early Childhood Education is always evident, […] and she makes sure that her room is always welcoming, stimulating, and fun. In short, Molly is 100% all in, in every way!” Coupled with her lessons and classroom environment, Molly’s thoughtful incorporation of sign language, use of technology, construction of fabulous bulletin boards, and her ability to pull the school’s Catholic values into her daily routines are inspiring.  

Multiple nominations described Molly Wright as someone who is dependable and dedicated, the kind of person who always goes the extra mile. As a faculty member noticed, “She consistently works harder than any teacher I have seen to make sure her students are cared for and thriving, even during these difficult times.” Additionally, she was praised for her positive attitude and flexibility. Early in the year, she had to move classrooms with little advance notice.  She accepted the transition positively because she knew it was a change that would best meet her students’ needs. 

Mrs. Wright knows her students well and meets them on their level, challenging them to be their best. Her expectations are high and are based in love. As one parent mentioned, “She has opened our eyes as parents to the capabilities of a five-year-old. We never dreamed that our daughter could learn so much in one year, and she has soared academically thanks to the incredible foundation Mrs. Wright provided.” Another parent remarked, “Mrs. Wright is an exceptional teacher. She certainly is giving her best in the classroom, building up the kids and providing them with developmentally stimulating experiences. We feel strongly that we got our money’s worth with Mrs. Wright!” She was praised for the extra effort when transitioning to e-learning last spring. She seamlessly pivoted to the Seesaw platform, creating hours of videos so that students, beyond their normal classroom work, could listen to stories read to them, watch the classroom caterpillars transition to butterflies, get updates on the guinea pigs, and even learn how to cook spaghetti! (Apparently, she also is a noted tiramisu connoisseur!) All of this went beyond her job description, and it was clear she did it out of a pure joy for teaching and love for the kids. 

Of the many compliments she received for her teaching and academic excellence, we wanted to highlight one additional comment which we felt truly shows the mission of the school and of Catholic education. This parent shared, “Mrs. Wright has been an angel to our family. After suffering a loss at the beginning of our daughter’s DK year, she showed us that St. Monica is much more than a school community; it has become our family. She was a safe space for our daughter and nurtured her through a tough year. She made her feel safe, and most importantly, loved.” 

Mrs. Wright, thank you for setting the bar high but not making it unattainable. Thank you for remaining positive despite unexpected challenges. Thank you for showing the compassion of Jesus to your students and their families. Thank you for challenging yourself to be your best which inspires others to want to be their best. While you are the recipient of the Teacher of the Month award, your students, their families, and your coworkers are the real recipients. It is an honor to recognize you for your exceptional teaching and service; you are a gift to the St. Monica community.