Growing up, Fairview Elementary fifth-grade teacher LeAnn DeCoeur saw school as an escape from a tough childhood.
“I don’t know how to say this, and the last time someone asked me this, I started crying, but I didn’t have an easy childhood,” DeCoeur said without getting into details. “For me, school was my saving grace, the one place where I could excel and become successful. I learned I could change myself through academics.”
But that struggle, which prompted her to become a teacher, has helped DeCoeur connect with her students in a unique way.
“Sometimes when there are conflicts with other students, (DeCoeur) doesn’t just teach,” student Kathryn McCullar said. “That’s her job, but that’s not it. By Lou Mattei
SUN Staff Writer
Growing up, Fairview Elementary fifth-grade teacher LeAnn DeCoeur saw school as an escape from a tough childhood.
“I don’t know how to say this, and the last time someone asked me this, I started crying, but I didn’t have an easy childhood,” DeCoeur said without getting into details. “For me, school was my saving grace, the one place where I could excel and become successful. I learned I could change myself through academics.”
But that struggle, which prompted her to become a teacher, has helped DeCoeur connect with her students in a unique way.
“Sometimes when there are conflicts with other students, (DeCoeur) doesn’t just teach,” student Kathryn McCullar said. “That’s her job, but that’s not it. She reaches out to us on a personal level. And when we have struggles in our lives, she teaches us how to solve those conflicts.”
Making connections like that has also helped DeCoeur earn one of the most prestigious teaching awards in the state. The state Golden Apple Foundation honored DeCoeur and six other teachers with the 2010 Golden Apple Award for teaching excellence and commitment to the profession.
DeCoeur is the second Española School District teacher to win the award. Maria Rieckenberg, now a former English teacher at Española Valley High School, won it in 2005,
Fairview Elementary Principal Ruby Montoya described DeCoeur as “strictly business,” a teacher whose nose-to-the-grindstone mentality makes her a natural leader among her peers. DeCoeur leads a weekly study session for teachers to hone their skills in math and science and brush up on pedagogy.
“She’s mentored a lot of teachers, and none of that’s for pay,” Montoya said. “She’s a real resource in and out of her classroom.”
DeCour came to Fairview as a fifth-grade teacher in 1995, and hasn’t budged from that position.
DeCoeur said Lorenzo Gonzales, one of her own mentors at the Math and Science Academy, a professional development training ground for teachers, nominated her for the award. DeCoeur completed a lengthy application process and then withstood a day of scrutiny from the Foundation before being named one of 17 finalists, she said.
DeCoeur found out she won the award March 3 at a staff meeting. All of the school’s teachers and staff assembled for the early morning meeting to surprise DeCoeur with the news.
“Ms. Montoya definitely kept it a surprise,” DeCoeur said.
DeCoeur’s students were quick to compliment their teacher. Fifth-grader Destiny Castillo said she recently transferred from another teacher’s class and is embracing the change so far.
“On lots of basic things, (my old teacher) would just make us do the work and is not going to help you,” Castillo said. “But Miss DeCoeur gives you extra help and makes sure you understand it rather than just memorizing. She is one of the best teachers I’ve had, and she’s a really amazing person.”
DeCoeur shied away from the spotlight.
“It’s not just me,” she said. “I happen to be being recognized right now, but I’m really accepting this award on behalf of the community.”
DeCoeur said the $1,500 cash prize was nice, and she’s already planning how to use a $4,000 stipend for professional development. But DeCoeur said she feels guilty about the new laptop computer she received as part of the award.
“I’m a little ashamed about that,” she said. “The one I have is a little old, but it works fine.”
When told most other teachers would probably drool over a new laptop, DeCoeur shook her head.
“For me, these 23 students are my reality,” DeCoeur said. “That’s all I care about.”