In 1999, teacher Nicole Waicunas suffered from a brain hemorrhage and was told by doctors that she would never teach again. Years later, she is teaching English at Edwin O. Smith High School in Storrs, CT and is one of 10 teachers across the nation honored with the 2012 Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award for
In 1999, teacher Nicole Waicunas suffered from a brain hemorrhage and was told by doctors that she would never teach again. Years later, she is teaching English at Edwin O. Smith High School in Storrs, CT and is one of 10 teachers across the nation honored with the 2012 Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award for transforming students' lives and preparing them for their journey after school. "Kids come in and sit in on her classes because it's a place of excitement and energy," Waicunas' department head has said. "She's constantly surrounded by students that are seeking advice and support because she really has the magic touch in helping each student find themselves." Waicunas says her philosophy is to use literature to teach every child in the classroom about life. She has an individual lesson plan for each of her 106 students. She is using her award money to finish writing a novel about one of her current student's family struggle living in Iraq and their journey to America.
Hartford Courant, 3/28/2012
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