By Marianne Sullivan, Source Senior Staff Writer
Lisa Landa,
“an absolutely amazing teacher,” has been named Madison’s Teacher of
the Year and, when the selection was announced last week to an assembly
of teachers and staff, Landa was greeted with cheers, applause,
whistles, and an extended standing ovation.
Landa is an English teacher at
Daniel Hand High School. She began her career in Madison in 1993 as a
paraprofessional and was hired as a full-time English teacher the
following year.
Daniel Hand Principal Barbara
Britton described Landa, her contribution to teaching, and her
contribution to Madison students this way:
“I don’t believe the dictionary has
invented a word yet to describe Lisa Landa. Outstanding, kind, caring,
compassionate are all close, but not quite able to fully embody the
essence that is Lisa. To say she is dedicated to her students is an
understatement. Her ability to find a teachable
moment to make a connection with her students is unique.
“Lisa’s use of humor, her cajoling,
her reminding, and her attention all underscore the love she
demonstrates for her students. That love is only overshadowed by the
affection her students show for her…Lisa loves English and
literature…She demands and gets the most out of her students and, along
the way, teaches them about more than just literature. She teaches them
about life.
“Lisa has always embraced change, if
she felt it was in the best interests of the students. She was one of
the first teachers in our building to co-teach a heterogeneously
grouped class. She piloted teaching in extended time blocks, providing
a faculty scheduling exploratory committee with authentic feedback. She
took on the ultimate leadership role by co-chairing the NEASC [New
England Association of Schools and Colleges] steering committee.
“She has been a class advisor, began
a chapter of Students Against Drunk Driving, and, with a seed of an
idea from students, became their mentor in planning what has become a
tradition, the Winter Wonderland Charity Ball…One of the greatest
honors a teacher at Hand can receive is being asked by a student to
speak on their behalf inducting them into the National Honor Society.
Lisa speaks on someone’s behalf, and sometimes two or three, at every
induction.”
Britton added, “Now, please don’t be
fooled by this serious, pedagogical side of Lisa. Oh no, she is not
beyond the practical joke, surprises, orchestrating a faculty Hawaiian
day, or planning an outrageous costume theme for the English department
on Halloween.
“I found this wonderful quote that I feel is truly the essence of Lisa…‘A
teacher is a very special person who uses his or her creativity and
loving, inquiring mind to develop the rare talent of encouraging others
to think, to dream, to learn, to try, to do!’ That’s our Lisa.”