CRESTLINE, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The numbers have added up for a Crestline High School math teacher who is being recognized as Teacher of the Month.

Brittany Garvar, a seven-year veteran of the Crestline Exempted Village School District, has been named the Lewis Family McDonald’s of Bucyrus and Galion “Teacher of the Month” for April.

“I was a little surprised.  I didn’t even know I was being considered for it,” said Garvar, who teaches Geometry and upper-level math courses at the high school.  “I’m very grateful though, just a little surprised.”

Garvar, 30, found out April 30 from the building’s secretary that she won the award, but she wasn’t in her classroom that day.  She’s on maternity leave after giving birth a month ago to her second child, Lincoln.

A native of Crestline, Garvar graduated in 2013 from Crestline High School and went on to Bowling Green State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 2017.

Landing a job at her alma mater was a dream come true.

“My biggest thing is I really wanted to come back to this area because I know there’s a need here,” she said.  “I just want to help out the kids because I know a lot of them don’t always have the support at home.”

Garvar said although lesson plans have changed over the years, her approach to teaching is the same – giving her students choices in how they learn and even on the color of light strands decorating the room.  “I like to give students a voice.”

Garvar has also been honored as the CHS Teacher of the Month.  She serves on the leadership team for both the high school and district and is the Student Council advisor and sophomore class advisor.

Each year she organizes a fund-raiser to help offset expenses for the junior-senior prom.  It’s always a hit with students who are allowed to purchase a space in the parking lot which they can then paint and decorate.

Outside of teaching, Garvar enjoys volunteer activities, such as helping distribute food every month for the Matthew 25 Emergency Food Relief Program.  She and her husband, Tyler, also have a two-year-old daughter, Alexandria “Ally.”

The new mom is excited about her latest accolade – and returning to school this fall.  “I’ve just always wanted to teach just to help the kids grow.  I try to make the students feel worthy, build up their confidence, and be better little humans.”