Emily Kaufman, a Mount Mercy Academy English teacher, earned a prestigious award recently. Head of School Michele Melligan announced that Kaufman has been awarded one of the FICE (Foundation for Inclusive Catholic Education) Teacher of the Year Awards. Kaufman was recognized at the Foundation for Inclusive Catholic Education’s eighth annual Taking Flight celebration on March 26.
FICE is an organization which supports families, educators and schools with the advocacy, knowledge and resources necessary to help students with special needs experience the spiritual and academic richness of a Catholic education in an inclusive environment.
Kaufman has been a member of the Mount Mercy faculty for six years, teaching freshman, sophomore and senior English, as well as AP English Literature and Composition and various electives. Her nomination read, in part, “Ms. Kaufman has gone above and beyond to ensure that students are learning in an inclusive and welcoming environment. She always finds ways to accommodate students’ needs by differentiating instruction through her ability to modify assignments and provide extra support by individualizing lessons based on student need. Ms. Kaufman takes time outside of the classroom to ensure that her lessons are appropriate for students of all abilities.”
This year she has taken her students in her elective courses on field trips to the Book Arts Center and St. Bonaventure University where students were able to explore learning opportunities outside of the classroom setting.
“Mount Mercy is both proud and grateful to have Ms. Kaufman as part of our staff,” Melligan added.
