Last week, senior Michelle Blue and junior Sara Bluhm had their inboxes flooded with emails from Liberty teachers. Each email contained a vote – a nomination similar to the Homecoming royalty vote students make each October.

At the beginning of the school year, Blue and Bluhm, this year’s ASB Directors of Recognition, decided to begin monthly “Teacher of the Month” awards. These awards recognize teachers for the unique character traits they possess based on nominations from their co-workers.

“I thought it would be a great idea to start these awards up because they help the teachers to connect and participate in the ‘We are One’ idea ASB is promoting,” Blue said.

At a November 19 staff meeting, math teacher Kristi Hafferty and technology specialist Linda Berg received “Teacher of the Month” for kindness, while ASB director Michelle Munson and English teacher Steve Valach received the award for optimism.

“Students have their favorites,” Bluhm said, “but this award helps staff get the appreciation for the qualities they have that they may not get from students.”