The Crown Point Community School Corporation named Ali Florek, a ninth-grade English teacher at CPHS, the District Teacher of the Year. Florek has been teaching for 13 years, with 10 years at Crown Point High School.

Florek has always known that she wanted to be a teacher, however, she applied to colleges for physical therapy. In the end, though, she decided that teaching was what she was meant to do, and changed her major.

“For the most part, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. But, in high school, I also had thought about physical therapy and actually applied for colleges thinking that that was what I was going to do. Last minute I changed my mind back to teaching, but honestly, I think my heart was always with teaching. I think I was just exploring other options, but I am glad that I did stick with teaching,” Florek said.

From a young age, Florek has loved studying English, which is why she decided to teach it. She had many teachers that she looked up to, with them being a driving force in her wanting to be a teacher. Florek is also the oldest of three siblings, always loving to teach them new things. 

“I am the oldest child of three kids, and I always loved teaching my brother and sister things. I really liked school overall, and I had some really amazing English teachers. I think that was something that really inspired me to go into English education specifically. I always thought it was so cool how we would read and discuss stories in class and then apply them to our own lives. I think my love for the subject and also my love for being around people and working with people really led me to this profession,” Florek said.

Florek found out that she had been voted teacher of the year surrounded by her friends and colleagues. She was shocked to learn that she had been voted for but refused to let it change the way that she taught and perceived her classroom.

“I found out while I was in a staff meeting. They came over to the PA system and announced it to everybody while I was in my CPU group. Everyone was very excited and very supportive. I was so surprised, I definitely was not expecting it, so it was an absolute surprise,” Florek said.

Florek teaches freshmen, which many would not consider an easy feat. She enjoys watching her students grow, and see what they become throughout the year. She also enjoys seeing past students in the hallways, talking to and seeing how they have been doing since her class.

“I love teaching freshmen, which I think most people would not say. Part of that is because I can see so much growth from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, not just academically, but also in maturity level. Most of the time, they are scared and don’t know what to expect when walking in, and I get to be somebody there for them through those times. I think that there are also a lot of rewards with being a freshman teacher,” Florek said.

Florek advises anybody remotely thinking about becoming a teacher to pursue this path. “Do it. It’s different every day. There are very frustrating days, but there are also very rewarding days. And, to look at the big picture, not every day is going to be perfect, most won’t. Being able to see how kids change and to know that you have a positive impact on students, I think, is extremely rewarding.”