Nominated by: Elizabeth Acosta

Mrs. Kowalsky is an absolutely wonderful Physical and Earth Science teacher who has been incredibly kind and supportive throughout my freshman year. Science can sometimes be a challenging subject to adjust to in high school, but she completely transforms the experience into something positive. She creates a classroom environment that is safe, welcoming, and genuinely exciting to walk into every day. Whenever a student is struggling with a tough concept or feeling unsure of themselves, she is always right there to offer explanations, help, and encouragement needed to build their confidence. Beyond her Physical and Earth Science classes, Mrs. Kowalsky also teaches a conservation elective. In this class, I'm sure her passion for the environment really shines through, and she brings that same amazing, positive energy to helping upperclassmen understand how to protect the planet. She can make every lesson engaging, encouraging everyone to think and gather their thoughts about the lesson while making sure each student feels valued and listened to by calling on our tables and letting people share. Having a teacher who is so caring makes a big difference, especially during the transition into high school. Now that we are in the month of May and finishing up the school year, I can look back in the future after the year ends and see how much her guidance has helped me grow as both a student and a person when I am a sophomore. Mrs. Kowalsky is a truly fantastic teacher, and our school is very lucky to have her.