Gibson and three other teachers will receive the Excellence in Teaching award on March 16. The awards program is sponsored by the Springfield Rotary Club, Ohio Edison, The Springfield Foundation and The Chamber of Greater Springfield.
Each recipient will be introduced and will give a short presentation on what teaching has meant to them and the importance of being a teacher. Recipients will also receive a $1,000 check, a recognition plaque, a glass apple, and proclamations from the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate.
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Gibson always knew she wanted to work with kids, but was unsure of exactly what she wanted to do until one day she “realized God had a plan,” she said
She moved from Puerto Rico when she was 20 and began teaching herself English - she knew about 50 words at the time - and a new culture, before eventually settling in Ohio.
“I moved to Ohio and someone told me they needed subs, and just because I had a degree, I could be one,” she said. “I called Kenton Ridge and they told me to come the next day to be a sub, and two days later they placed me as a teacher.”
Since Gibson’s first year of teaching, she knew she wanted to be a teacher for the rest of her life because it is something she finds important and is passionate about.
“To me, a teacher is somebody that is just not about curriculum and just lesson plans. It’s someone that comes in to inspire, to be an influence, to change someone’s life, to guide them,” she said. “It’s just the passion that I have for the language and how important it is to speak another language, but also to be educated about other cultures.”
Along with being a Spanish teacher, Gibson also teaches a college credit plus (CCP) class through Clark State Community College, and she is an interpreter for the Springfield City School District and the Clark County Combined Health District.
“This career has given me the opportunity to do so much. It really has opened the doors for me. I enjoy it,” she said.
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Gibson said she was touched to be chosen, and that the support from her family and students is what has helped her receive this award.
“I was very humble. When my principal thought of me, I was thinking about all the great teachers we have, so I was very touched that he chose me,” she said.
Gibson said she is proud of how hard she has worked for not only herself, but also her family.
“I did this for my own kids. I wanted my kids to see no matter where you’re from, no matter what happened in your life, what kind of obstacles you face, if you put something in your mind, you can do it if you believe in yourself,” she said. “I cried so much because I am so proud of how hard I work.”
2020 Excellence in Teaching Award
This is the first story in a four-part series by the Springfield News-Sun on the teachers in Clark County receiving the 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award.
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