Teacher Appreciation Week; Meet Beth Ann Wolfer

WHITNEY POINT (WBNG) -- All week long, WBNG is celebrating and honoring educators across the Southern Tier who are making an impact on our next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators.

In Whitney Point, one teacher has been making a difference in the lives of students for more than three decades.

Mrs. Wolfer is an English Language Arts Teacher for grades 6 to 8 at Tioughinoga Riverside Academy.

Students told 12 News Mrs. Wolfer is adored among her students including Riley Head, who said to 12 News he loves how Mrs. Wolfer lets him express himself.

“She’s one of the nicest teachers definitely,” said Head.

Letting the students be who they are is part of the reason Mrs. Wolfer is able to get the most out of her students.

“Every student is a unique, individual who has their own set of skills and strategies,” said Mrs. Wolfer. “My goal is to enable them to go as far as they can. I put really high expectations on them, but I always tell them that I wouldn’t expect anything they cannot do.”

Wolfer’s perseverance and determination to have her students reach their full potential is awe-inspiring, according to her co-workers.

“She seems to find the right niche for everybody,” said a Teacher Aid at Tioughnioga Riverside Academy Cathy Mihalko. “She never gives up on a student and is always able to reach the goal they were trying to achieve.”

“Beth is just an amazing person,” Mihalko said. “She not only teaches the kids but the adults as well.”

Mrs. Wolfer’s support for her students goes beyond the classroom as she loves attending many of their sporting events and other after-school activities. This deep connection is what motivates her every day as she watches her students become thriving young adults.

“That’s what I want for these kids. I want them to be as good a student as possible” Wolfer said. “I love hearing that they are succeeding and that they’re happy doing what they do.”

WBNG selected five teachers to be featured for Teacher Appreciation Week. From May 9 to 13, one teacher will be showcased on 12 News at 5:30 p.m. To see all of the featured teachers, go here. For a full list of nominated teachers, go here.

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