Hidden Valley Teacher Wins Clinical Educator Award

Michael Hayes, an English Learner teacher at Hidden Valley Elementary School, was named the Outstanding Clinical Educator for fall 2023 by the Cato College of Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Hayes was one of 22 nominees and now has the opportunity to become the 2023-2024 overall winner, which includes a $250 cash award.

The annual award recognizes a P-12 teacher who serves as a clinical educator to a full-time student teaching candidate. Hayes was nominated by his student teacher, Susan Bakita, who now teaches at Hidden Valley, and Dr. Coreen Okraski, university supervisor.

“Mr. Hayes has repeatedly told me that his job is to make me a success," Bakita said. "He is always my advocate and encourager, giving seasoned advice and excellent input. ... He draws me out and encourages me to assess how things went, what I did well, and how I can improve, even when I feel that my class was a failure."

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