NEW WASHINGTON, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Two Buckeye Central elementary school teachers are “making the grade” in a national competition that celebrates teachers and their lifelong impact on students.
Toni Schafer and Christa Swanger, fellow fourth-grade teachers, and friends, are vying for the title of America’s Favorite Teacher with a chance to win a $25,000 prize, a trip to Hawaii, and appear in an upcoming issue of Reader’s Digest magazine.
Schafer, currently in the top spot for her group, finds out Thursday if she has enough votes to advance. “It’s like the longest, drawn-out competition I’ve ever seen in my life,” she said. “I’m just hoping to stay in my number-one spot and get voted to the finals.”
The wildcard round on Thursday will determine the quarterfinalists in the contest. Semifinal competition begins May 17 and finals run from May 24-30, with public voting reset each time. The grand prize winner is expected to be announced on or around June 7.
Schafer, 36, is a 10 year-year teaching veteran of Buckeye Central who, from an early age, always knew her career path. “I was always going to be a teacher from the time I held a book. I never considered anything else.”
She was inspired by her elementary teachers at Colonel Crawford who made learning fun. But she said Lynn Kocher, especially, was her mentor. “She has been there for the highest and lowest points of my career, always encouraging me and helping me be my best.”
Her favorite part of being an educator? “My relationships with my students and colleagues. I manage my classroom in a way that allows students to feel safe, welcome, and confident with their peers. I strongly believe I can’t teach them anything until they trust me.”
Schafer’s dedication goes beyond the classroom where she strives to build positive relationships with the parents of her students. “I pride myself in my relationship with students but also their parents. I think I’m good at what I do. I wouldn’t put myself out there if not.”
The mother of three, who lives in Bucyrus with her husband, Josh, has promised to throw a pizza party for her class if she wins. And the $25,000? “I would start a college fund for my children. Then I would pay for the projects my husband and I have on our ‘someday’ list.”