Marianne Collar, a third-grade teacher at Hamilton Heights Elementary School (HHES), has been named as a Husky Hero for January. Collar has also been instrumental in making important contributions in STEM learning, as a volleyball coach, and in directing musical performances. She is the type of educator who motivates her students to dream BIG and learn BIG!
HHES Principal Julie Griffey said Mrs. Collar runs her classroom in a flexible manner to allow for different learning styles to be successful.
“She is hands-on with her learning and has a knack for hooking students in by knowing about relevant topics and characters that spark student interest,” Griffey said. “She also models for her students the idea behind growth mindset, encouraging them to take risks, and finding solutions in their everyday learning. Her passion is evident, and our students love Mrs. Collar.”
“Mrs. Collar is an absolute gem among gems on our elementary school faculty,” said parent Brooklyn Copeland Seall. “Our first experience with Mrs. Collar was during a parent-teacher conference last year. She did this amazing thing where she had our daughter join the conference and participate, highlighting our daughter’s accountability for her own education and praising her capacity to do great things. It’s a message our family has taken to heart, and our daughter counts Mrs. Collar among her role models to this day.”
Seall continued, “Mrs. Collar not only teaches with great imagination, passion, and talent for tapping into each student’s unique learning ‘DNA,’ but she devotes countless hours to enriching our school’s programs – volleyball and drama to name only a few! Her dedication to bringing these ‘extras’ to elementary school children, exposing them to worlds beyond the standard curriculum and helping to instill their own early passion, is a reward reaped by so many local families over the course of a school year. She has done an amazing job leading a large production team to put on the school’s most recent musical, Moana. Mrs. Collar is one of the few people who could get my daughter onboard with 7 a.m. drama or line dancing class and, judging by the way her classes always fill up, we are not alone! We love Mrs. Collar and are so glad to have had her as a teacher and a mentor at HHES!”
Collar’s enthusiasm for students, their education, and their hobbies and interests is contagious, and her students are better for it.
“I have never seen so many kids’ faces light up when they see or even talk about Mrs. Collar,” Ashley Santasiero said. “She goes above and beyond for every student, even those who she doesn’t personally teach. Whether it be directing plays, coaching volleyball, her extracurricular STEM programs, or even passing her in the hall, kids are drawn to her kindness and leadership. My child has never even had her as a teacher, and absolutely adores her. I know many students who feel the same way. Her kindness, compassion, and adventurous personality are such an asset to this school. I know my child feels loved and appreciated by Mrs. Collar. Not only is she my kid’s hero she is mine as well!”
Collar said she learns just as much from her students, and she emphasizes that learning is a journey.
“I am honored to receive this recognition, but MOST importantly, I am honored to have built relationships, shared the love for learning, and empowered students to find their niche and passion in life,” Collar said after receiving the award. “This truly fills my heart. I am grateful for the trust these parent and families have in me as they continue to share their students with me on this journey of learning. Every day I learn something new from these kids. For that, I am grateful.”
Collar continued, “I value the opportunity to give something of myself that someone else could use. I am meant to do great things and so are these kids. Empowering them to do something bigger than they ever thought possible has been a gift to me beyond words. This student confidence carries into so many bigger things that builds into becoming amazing human beings that contribute into building and our community, small and wide.” This award will continue to impact me by allowing me to honor those teachers, friends, and mentors that inspire me. I plan on giving the $250 back to those who are MY Husky Heroes.”
Congratulations to January’s Husky Hero! Thank you, Mrs. Collar, for making an impactful difference in Hamilton Heights schools and being a Husky Hero.
About the Husky Hero Award
The monthly award is designed to recognize a Hamilton Heights School Corporation employee for performing an act of kindness, or going above and beyond for a student, fellow staff member, or the Heights community. Any staff member employed by the district is eligible to be recognized and can be nominated by anyone on or off campus. The Husky Hero recipient will be presented with a certificate and a monetary donation of $250 in appreciation for their making a meaningful impact.
The Husky Hero Recognition program is made possible through the Hamilton Heights Educational Foundation in partnership with Craig and Amber Bowen (F.C. Tucker). Nominate a Husky Hero today or learn more about this special recognition program at bit.ly/hhschuskyhero.