Hi, my name is Dave… I’m a Sock Baby and belong to one of Sherri Ottis’ former students. I live in a golf bag and I want to give a shout out to…

After devoting all 25 teaching years at Clinton High, Mrs. Ottis is retiring. She has taught almost everything under the “Social Studies” platform, including psychology, sociology, and a bunch of other classes. Her room is the last on the East End side. Either you are going to her class or leaving the building. Anyway…

The two things that set Mrs. Ottis apart are her pursuit of helping teachers feel valued with Teacher Grams, overseeing this project since 2002, and her sociology class, where students model parenting skills with Sock Babies. That’s where I, Dave, came into the world. So, today, I want to give Sherri Ottis a Teacher Gram tribute, whose dedication to teaching transcends the ordinary and resonates for many other teachers to model.

In the long hallways of Clinton High School, Mrs. Ottis’ impact echoes through the years, leaving an enduring mark on students and colleagues. Sherri Ottis is the epitome of excellence, compassion, and unwavering commitment. She personifies the essence of a dedicated educator. With a nurturing demeanor and an infectious passion for learning (she is also a published author of the book Silent Heroes: Downed Airmen and the French Underground), every day, her classroom is transformed into a sanctuary of knowledge, fostering an environment where students feel empowered to explore, inquire, and thrive. Walking into her classroom, one would think they were entering an “Educational Emporium.” Beyond textbooks and lesson plans, Mrs. Ottis cultivates a sense of belonging, instilling values of empathy, resilience, and integrity in her students’ hearts, a lost commodity, it seems, in the education world today.

Mrs. Ottis shines as an educational inspiration. Her unwavering dedication to her craft and genuine care for her students’ well-being exemplify the essence of educational excellence. Through her innovative teaching methods, boundless enthusiasm, and unwavering support, she ignites a spark that has lighted many a flame for her students, propelling them towards success and self-discovery. But don’t play her; it doesn’t take long for anyone to figure out where you stand. Her value of what education should be and the wisdom she offers, stands at the pinnacle of what educational success is lacking today.

Personally, I will miss Sherri’s subtle wit and common thinking ground. I will even miss her “Pope Leo X’s” Bible she used in our Monday morning Bible study group, and her great “one word, one liner” (those who know, know). We have had many talks and solved most of life’s problems, as if the world would listen to us. I am also grateful for the time I have had being an educator with her, as I am sure many of you are as well, and for the impact she has had on students’ lives and on all our lives, for that matter. A legacy she leaves. Education needs more educators like Sherri Ottis because people like Sherri Ottis are extraordinary educators. Sherri is my teaching colleague and, in many ways, a mentor and a confidant. Most importantly, Sherri is my friend, and I will miss seeing her at the end of the hallways of Clinton High.

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…