On Nov. 17, dance teacher Mrs. Eryn Brown was presented an award for being the state’s best dance teacher and, on Dec. 5, Mrs. Brown received news that she was awarded dance teacher of the year.
Mrs. Brown received the award from the Illinois Association of Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance, otherwise known as IAHPERD, at the state convention at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, IL. Brown was specifically informed about getting the award the first week of May 2011.
The process to achieve the award was lengthy. Brown first had to be nominated by the Physical Welfare Supervisor, Ms. Patti Mascia. Next, Mrs. Brown had to write essays about her teaching and how she is fulfilling the dance teaching standards and send in her resume. Then, a committee picked an award winner who models an achievement in dance.
Accepting the award was a big honor for Mrs. Brown.
“I was really exciting with all the teachers in the state of Illinois to be the one picked,” Brown said proudly. The award for Brown resonates her confidence and showed to her how she was doing a good job.
“It encourages me to keep striving to do new things and recognizes the hard work my students and I have been doing.”
Junior Emma Waldie, one of Mrs. Brown's dance students, thought, " Mrs. Brown is an amazing teacher and puts up with us crazy dancers everyday so for that alone she deserves it!"
"[Mrs. Brown] really brings her best when it comes to choreographing and teach her students new and interesting stuff!" said senior Brenna Bradley, another dance student of Mrs. Brown. "It's always a blast working with her and it's awesome knowing that we get to have the privilege of working with the states 'dance teacher of the year'!"
However, for Mrs. Brown, the good news kept on coming. Recently, Brown was presented the 2012 Midwest Level Dance Teacher of the Year Award by the Midwest Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. That is the following level after receiving the state award. This award is considered for the teachers in the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Afterwards, Mrs. Brown will be considered for National Level with six different teachers in the nation. Brown will be attending a convention, AAHPERD National Convention, in Boston from March 13-17 to be part of the interview process for the national award.