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‘Teachers of the Year’ include counselors, immigrant who helps other English learners

Educators to be honored June 7

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Camas School District counselors, left to right, Shelley Ross, Jeff Causey and Emily Fitch will be honored at a June 7 awards banquet as "Teachers of the Year." (Contributed Photo)

The Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce will honor several local educators who go above and beyond to help students with learning, and emotional and social well-being, as the Chamber’s 2017 “Teachers of the Year.”

The educators, including an English language learner (ELL) teacher and a team of counselors, will be celebrated during an awards banquet on Wednesday, June 7, along with the Chamber’s Citizens of the Year, two college scholarship winners and Businessperson of the Year.

For its Educator of the Year, the Washougal School District selected Chung Savoie, who works with students learning to speak and write English at Hathaway Elementary School.

According the Hathaway Principal David Tudor, Savoie does not work or serve for awards or accolades, but simply to inspire and impact all those she comes in contact with each day. “She has developed relationships with her students, families and peers and freely offers love, acceptance and grace to everyone,” Tudor said of Savoie. “Chung supports both students and families with empathy coupled with complete professionalism. She teaches her students to strive for excellence, to love reading and to respect each other; and she teaches her peers to give our best for our students and to always wear a smile.”

Savoie immigrated to the United States 17 years ago from South Korea and settled in Vancouver. She had her first teaching job in Camas and came to Washougal 10 years ago.

“While the learning curve has been steep, I have enjoyed the opportunities afforded here in Washougal to take chances and to try new things that will improve the success of all students,” Savoie said. “It was the best move I ever made.”

The Camas School District (CSD) selected its counseling team for the “Teacher of the Year” honor. The team includes Leotina Liebe of Camas High School, Shelly Ross of Hayes Freedom High School, Emily Fitch of Liberty Middle School and Jeff Causey of Grass Valley Elementary.

“We’re so fortunate to have an outstanding counseling team working on the social (and) emotional well-being of all students throughout our district,” CSD Superintendent Jeff Snell said. “Emily, Leontina, Jeff and Shelly have led the charge this year around new efforts to meet the needs of the whole child.”