By Elizabeth Reiss
and Alan Van Ormer

A Baltic Elementary School teacher was selected as the Baltic School District’s 2009 “Teacher of the Year” recently.
Jennifer Even, who has been a teacher at Baltic Elementary for eight years, received the honor at the Baltic High School graduation commencement ceremony May 16.
“I actually had tears in my eyes because I absolutely love my job and work very hard to do my best every day,” Even said later. “My reaction was shock and totally humbled.”
Even teaches pre-school and elementary special education.
The 1995 Baltic high School graduate and Augustana College graduate has taught at Baltic for her entire career. Each year, teachers are nominated for the honor by parents, students and fellow staff members. A committee considered all those nominations and makes a decision on who is the “Teacher of the Year.”
Two co-workers, Becca Walsh and Jen Nuncio, nominated Even for the honor.
Even said she always knew that she wanted to become a teacher.
“I love working with the kids and watching the progress they make each year,” she said. “I love working with my elementary students because there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the excitement in their eyes when they learn something that they have been working very hard on mastering.”
Even added that she enjoys the preschool students because they are “so enthusiastic about learning and can always bring a smile to my face.”
Bob Sittig, Baltic School District superintendent and elementary school principal, said that Even is an outstanding teacher who “does it all flawlessly.”
“She is a team player who sets high standards for herself and her students...she has a positive influence on not just her program, but our school in general.”