SIDNEY — A Fairlawn Elementary School teacher has been honored for her commitment to her students.

Battelle for Kids recently recognized Stacy Hamaker, a second- and third-grade reading teacher from Fairlawn Local School District, as a distinguished educator for her tremendous impact on her students, colleagues and community. Hamaker was among 42 teachers from across Ohio to receive the 2015 Celebrate Teaching Distinguished Educator Award as a representative of excellence in the teaching profession. The awards were presented during a program at the Educators Connect for Success Conference in Columbus.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to be recognized by Battelle. I believe all kids can reach their potential no matter their circumstances,” said Hamaker.

Celebrate Teaching is Battelle for Kids’ commitment to celebrate, honor and inspire great teaching. Since 2012, the organization has recognized more than 150 outstanding teachers with the Distinguished Educator Award who have shown powerful results in the classroom. The 2015 class of Distinguished Educators were selected for demonstrating evidence of great teaching in multiple ways—including academic, non-cognitive, and community measures.

“The impact of a teacher starts with a student and reverberates through the classroom, the school, and the community. It is truly the gift that keeps on giving,” said Jim Mahoney, executive director of Battelle for Kids. “Congratulations to all the outstanding teachers in the 2015 class of Distinguished Educators, and thank you to the thousands of educators across Ohio who give so selflessly of themselves to teach our children.”

“Stacy is a teacher who gets the top level of value-added each year with her students. Stacy’s achievement scores have been 100 percent more than once in her career. She meets the students where they are academically and takes them as far as she can individually and as a group,” said Jo DeMotte, Fairlawn principal.

Visit www.CelebrateTeaching.org to learn more about Celebrate Teaching and the 2015 class of Distinguished Educators.

With headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle for Kids is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to moving education forward for students by supporting the educators who work with them every day. Learn more at www.BattelleforKids.org.