CICERO, N.Y. – It’s a creative space with a bearded dragon named Darwin, science memes and a one-of-a-kind thinking cap and it just so happens to be the classroom of the 2017 New York State Teacher of the Year.
"This is a responsibility and an honor so much bigger than what I am, so much bigger than my classroom and so much bigger than my school and my district,” recipient Amy Hysick said.
Hysick’s workspace is as different as her teaching style and it’s one of the many reasons her students nominated her for the honor.
“In my class I allow my kids to redo or retake anything; any assignment; any quiz; any assessment; any lab; any test; any project. If you don't like your grade you can redo it. So, you failed a quiz, it's not the end of the world; you fail a test, it's not the end of the world because you can fix it,” said Hysick.
And, she looks forward to having a new platform to share her experiences.
“I had the opportunity to speak to the entire board of regents and the commissioner of education to tell them about what I do in my classroom and what has been successful for me and my students. That's not an opportunity many teachers have,” said Hysick.
What makes this award even more special, Hysick is a graduate of Cicero-North High School and both of her parents were teachers in the district.
Hysick is also in the running for the title of National Teacher of the Year.