Bonneville Special-Education Teacher Wins Top Orange Award

February 24, 2010

A Bonneville Elementary special-education instructor inspired by her disabled sister is Orange County’s teacher of the year.

Jennifer Michaels-Gesundheit, who began teaching 10 years ago, was chosen from among five finalists Monday night for the school district’s top award at a ceremony at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Hotel.

The other four finalists for the 2011 award were Patti MacLeish Gordon, a Princeton Elementary gifted-education instructor; Pamela Guyton, a Lake Nona Middle math teacher; John Ho A Yun, a Stonewall Jackson Middle science-honors teacher; and Lisa Hewitt, a Westbrooke Elementary music teacher.

"I am flabbergasted," Gesundheit said. "I’m so honored and humbled."

Gesundheit, 32, said she was inspired to teach after her 3-year-old sister, Mary Anne, suffered severe disabilities from a fever and brain swelling. In her application for the award, Gesundheit described watching the toddler learn to breathe, swallow and speak. She sat by her sister through long hours of therapy, she wrote, and then witnessed her parents’ tears when Mary Anne finally said her first "new" word.

At Bonneville, Gesundheit has been credited with moving misdiagnosed students from a mentally handicapped program to regular classes; for advocating for minority students wrongly placed in special education; for helping special-education students meet federal accountability standards; and for creating songs, cheers and chants to make learning fun.

Gesundheit will receive a $2,500 check from the Department of Education and represent the department and teachers throughout the state at workshops, conferences and other gatherings. The award advances her to the Department of Education/Macy’s Teacher of the Year competition. Winners will be announced in July.