Tori Downar

Drama teacher Amie Gossett instructs her students.

Receiving a “Monday Memo” from Principal Jeremy Mitchell on  Nov. 4, every teacher was asked to nominate a colleague for the 2014-2015 Teacher of the Year Award.  Each nomination included a two or three sentence description of why they thought that teacher should be chosen.  A ballot with the four most nominated teachers was then made to determine the winner on Nov. 18.  Theater department teacher Amie Gossett became the upcoming 2014-2015 Teacher of the Year.

“We counted the votes, and then made the announcement to the entire school!  I think we have many great educators, and Mrs. Gossett indeed is a great example of a teacher that lives our West High mission everyday,” Mitchell said.

And her other colleagues agree.   Math teacher Patrick Mooney met Gossett in 2003 at new teacher orientation.  They have worked together for the past 11 years.

“Her ability to accept others for who they are and what they can be is extremely unique.  She always strives to get the best out of each student, no matter what level they are at, or class they are in, or duty they have in a show.  And she does it with good humor and a gentle nudging that can sometimes not even be noticed,” Mooney said.

While teachers took notice of the eleventh year drama teacher, Gossett did not even know the impact that she had on the people she works with everyday.

“I was very shocked to be nominated, let alone win the award.  I have not been teaching that long and I teach a relatively obscure subject.  I am not a member of a huge department and to be quite honest, thought no one knew what I did down in the basement!” Gossett said.

Her impact has not only been on her colleagues, but her students as well.  Teaching a subject where students express themselves different than in most classes, Gossett utilizes her time with students to teach them more than just the art of theater.

“I have always wanted to be a teacher, it just took me awhile to figure out what I wanted to teach,” Gossett said.  “I officially teach theatre and speech, but I try to also teach life skills necessary for the future beyond reading and writing…. Time management, problem solving, creativity and compassion as well.”