Each fall, every school in the district has the opportunity to nominate a teacher for teacher of the year. Last week, social studies teacher Andrew Berding was announced as this year’s nominee.

“It’s really something that is quite an honor to be recognized by [my] peers,” Berding said. “This is my third year teaching here and it is really nice that people have recognized some of the work I’ve been [doing].”

Following being nominated by his colleagues, Berding said there is still a lot of work for him to do in order to be considered for the award.

“The next steps are … that I have to write a couple of essays about my teaching, my career and about issues that I think are important in education,” Berding said. “Then, I [have to] go through a small interview process with the district in October.”

After taking Modern World History with Berding her sophomore year, senior Madi Mann is now his teacher assistant during third hour. She described Berding as such a kind-hearted person.

“I think it is so cool that Mr. Berding [is being] considered for teacher of the year,” Mann said. “He is such a good teacher and genuinely cares about his students’ education and learning.”

Berding said he has worked in many different schools, but nothing can compare to the resources, the staff support and the administrative support at Southwest.

“I would love to thank the people in my department that I work with every day and the people that nominated me,” Berding said. “[I would also like to thank] the administration that has pushed me to do a bit more than sometimes I think I am capable of.”