Fulton Public Schools' 2017 Teacher of the Year wishes you could have her job.
"I wish that everyone had the opportunity to work with these kids and see their passion and drive," Janet Trowbridge, a special education teacher at Fulton High School, said. "They all want to make a difference in the world."
Trowbridge was recognized last week, and Bryan Abbott, the system's director of transportation, was recognized as the 2017 Support Staff of the Year. (He'll be profiled in Tuesday's Fulton Sun.)
"I'm humbled and honored to be recognized," Trowbridge said. "I work with such amazing colleagues and students, and the support from administration and parents is amazing."
Trowbridge is in her 15th year of teaching at FHS and is also a graduate of the school.
"I was blessed with such amazing mentors who took me under their wing and guided, supported and encouraged me," Trowbridge said.
After a stint as a certified recreation therapy specialist, she returned to join the special education department.
"I absolutely love working with the kids and youth in our community and watching them achieve things they didn't think they could do," Trowbridge said.
Trowbridge also helps push kids toward greatness in her other role at Fulton High School. For the last six years, she's been the co-sponsor of Student Council.
"I knew when I took that on that if I did it, I'd be all in," Trowbridge said.
She said contrary to common belief, Student Council does much more than plan prom.
"We also deal with a lot of education and service," she said.
One of her favorite activities is helping with the Special Olympics.
"We do different events to support them throughout the year," Trowbridge said. "Some kids participate in the Polar Bear Plunge to raise money, and this year, we had a team in the Mini MizzouThon for the first time."
As a teacher in special education, the Special Olympics are close to her heart.
"I just want to teach kids how important it is to celebrate everyone's abilities," Trowbridge said.
Trowbridge lives in Fulton with her husband, Greg, and their two daughters - sophomore Haden and seventh-grader Alex. When she's not at work, she can often be found cheering on Fulton's sports teams.
"I'm a true Hornet - I bleed black and gold," she said.