Courtnie Mirabelli
CHENEY - In a heartfelt recognition of her unwavering dedication and contributions to the world of education, Courtnie Mirabelli has been awarded the prestigious Cheney Educator of the Year by the West Plains Chamber of Commerce.
This accolade is a testament to Mirabelli's enduring passion for teaching, especially her commitment to working with multilingual students and their families.
Mirabelli's journey as an educator spans two decades, with significant experience teaching kindergarten in a dual language school, where both Spanish and English were spoken.
"I loved witnessing every student learn a second language," Mirabelli said. "What a beautiful gift to learn new languages and learn about our colleagues' and classmates' cultures."
One cornerstone of Mirabelli's teaching philosophy is fostering positivity.
Superintendent Ben Ferney commends her positive attitude, which has a profound impact on students and staff.
She emphasizes that this does not mean life is always smooth sailing, but rather, the importance of taking deep breaths, demonstrating flexibility, and developing solution-based plans.
"Students thrive in this positive learning environment, and they always rise to the occasion," Mirabelli remarked.
This positivity is a beacon in her personal and professional life, a beacon she expertly shares with her students and colleagues resulting in a positive learning environment where students thrive and engage deeply in their lessons.
Active engagement is another vital element of Mirabelli's teaching methodology.
She employs these strategies across all grade levels, from kindergarten to fifth grade, inspiring her peers with her own teaching approaches.
"When students are excited about learning and genuinely engaged in the lessons, their learning becomes more meaningful and occurs on a deeper level," said Mirabelli.
From the bus driver who starts the day to the paraprofessional who ends it, every member of the team is essential.
"Each staff member plays an essential role in a child's educational journey," said Mirabelli. "We are all pieces of the puzzle that makes students feel 'seen' and valued."
Mirabelli's commitment to meaningful education extends beyond academics; she aims to equip students with the tools for personal growth and problem-solving in their daily lives and communities.
"I noticed that I had students and their family members that came back to visit me in the classroom year after year," Mirabelli said.
But she knows that the learning journey never ends. Professional development is crucial to staying current and providing the most effective education.
Over her career, she has obtained various degrees and certificates, including becoming nationally board certified.
Yet, she emphasizes the incredible value of learning from fellow educators who possess a wealth of knowledge to share.
"My advice to aspiring educators would be to always look for the assets (positive attributes) that your students and their families possess," Mirabelli said. "If we focus on deficits (the negatives), we are limiting our understanding of the whole child. Students (and families) can feel if they are valued or not valued on a holistic level within the classroom."
When students feel valued, they can genuinely experience success in their school day.
Her dedication extends beyond the classroom. She works tirelessly to get high-quality multicultural books into the hands of teachers and children, fostering opportunities for learning about different languages and diverse cultures worldwide.
In her view, teamwork is everything in education. It's through the collective effort of educators, students, and their families that success is achieved.
Her commitment to recognizing and encouraging the positive traits in every individual contributes to Windsor's overall success.
She embodies the qualities of an exceptional educator, making a lasting impact on the future generations she serves.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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