As a lifelong learner, I enjoy learning new techniques, being challenged, and reflecting on my practice. Every year, I revise lessons to meet the growing needs of diverse learners. Winning this award is an acknowledgement of the efforts I have put into going above and beyond. It is rare in this profession to be recognized for our hard work. This award would serve as a motivator to continue to put in the energy to be the best educator I can be.

Amber Brewer Juneau, AK | K-6, Mathematics, 2022

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Amber Brewer has been an educator in the Juneau School District for the past 17 years. She currently serves as School Librarian and Instructional Coach at Auke Bay Elementary School. Previously, she taught all subjects to fourth and fifth grades. While in the classroom, Amber created opportunities for students to explore multiple methods for solving problems and facilitated discussions where students learn to share and analyze strategies. In addition, she involved students in reflecting on their own work and setting goals for themselves. Amber invited local experts to come into her classrooms and help students explore and understand mathematical and science concepts as they relate to students’ lives and the place they live. Her students have enjoyed exploring energy usage of electronic devices in the classroom, learning about renewable energy sources, evaluating human impacts on the environment, and discovering how various local organizations work to improve and protect resources. Amber has served on multiple committees at her school and within her district and currently sits on the Leadership Team at her school. She has also served on her local union executive board and acts as her building representative to promote teacher choice, best practices, and continuing education. She has presented at the statewide STEAM conference in the past to help other educators discover the power of integrating the arts with mathematics and science. Amber earned a B.A., cum laude, in elementary education from the University of Alaska Southeast. She has continued to further her education by taking numerous courses over the years with a focus on mathematics, STEM, and arts integration.

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