Let me introduce myself to you. I am Vicki Willett and I have the best job in the world. I have been teaching first grade, at Licking Heights since 2002. I absolutely love everything about first grade and am excited to be your child's teacher this year. Additionally, I am the building's technology coordinator, am the K-2 science chair and serve on the LPDC committee.
I graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Childhood Education. I completed my Masters in Teacher Leadership from National University and my Teacher Leader Endorsement from The Ohio State University. I am a National Board Certified Teacher, a certification many believe is the highest a teacher can receive. I have received the Dow Award of Excellence in STEM Education and been awarded the LHEA Teacher of the Year.
Perhaps the biggest honor I have received was in June of 2018. I received the Presidential Award of Excellence for Mathematics and Science Teachers. The PAEMST awards are the highest teaching awards given by the United States government. I was invited to and attended an awards celebration in Washington, D.C. During my visit, I was part of the STEM Summit, helping to develop a new five year STEM plan. Link to Dispatch Article
I am married with three children. My daughter Jennifer recently earned her Ph.D. at University of Connecticut in International Social Work. She is a professor at University of Nevada in Reno. My middle daughter Kimberly works for Cigna Health Care. She recently was awarded Health Coach of the Year. Both girls graduated from the Ohio State University. My son, Bryan, followed in his sisters' footsteps and graduated from OSU in engineering. He works in Cleveland for an engineering firm and is often the one I bounce teaching ideas off of.
I love to be outside running. I found several years ago, that I like all the medals and trophies, just like the kids do. My biggest accomplishment was completing the Columbus Marathon. The most fun race I have run was the Warrior Dash. I discovered something new, snowshoeing. It is really challenging, but the views are breath taking.