Congratulations to
Life-Changing Teaching Award Nominee
HEAVEN MURPHY
WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENT RECOGNITION STORY
My aquatic science teacher, Ms. Murphy, is one of the teachers who has left an impression on me. She makes learning fun by always giving us a reason behind what we’re learning, so it never feels pointless. She also takes the time to answer all of our questions, no matter how small, and connects with us by sharing stories from when she was in high school, which makes her really relatable.
She creates an environment where I actually look forward to going to class. Whether it’s taking care of the fish in our tanks or just the way she interacts with us, her class feels different from the rest. It’s more hands-on and engaging, and you can tell she wants us to enjoy learning, not just get through it.
Ms. Murphy shows that she cares in so many ways. She wrote me a letter of recommendation and has helped me stay on track not only in her class but in my other classes, too. She’s allowed me time to catch up on work, helped me with scholarships, and even supported me through the college application process. That really shows she cares about my future, not just my grade.
She’s also someone I can talk to when I’m stressed. As a senior, there’s a lot going on, and she always listens when I need to rant and gives helpful advice. She’s very chill and laid-back, but she knows when to be strict, which makes her a great balance as a teacher.
Because of her, I’ve become more outgoing and confident. She pushes me to do better while also supporting me, and that has made a big difference in who I am as a student. Ms. Murphy has supported me both inside and outside of the classroom, and I’m really grateful to have had her as my teacher.
Madelin Aguilar
To see more exceptional teacher nominees, visit The Honor Roll.
