Northshore educators Suzanne Black and Dori Wuepper may teach different subjects, but they share a similar commitment to their students. As the Northshore School District’s Teachers of the Year for 2008-09, they are being recognized for going above and beyond to help their students succeed.

Black, a biology teacher at Inglemoor High, and Wuepper, a social studies teacher at Canyon Park Junior High, have also won other awards in recent years for their outstanding teaching abilities.

Black, who also serves as the co-chair of the science department at Inglemoor, received the Amgen Excellence in Science Teaching award in 2004, as well as awards from the Immunex Corporation, Washington State University and the city of Kenmore, among others. She has taught at Inglemoor High since 1993.

One of Black’s students, Inglemoor senior Brianne Ryan, said her teacher has had a tremendous influence on her: “Her energy wakes us up and motivates us to learn. Mrs. Black’s clear passion for the subject is absolutely contagious; she can make anyone not only interested, but excited about light reactions or vascular tissue.”

At Canyon Park Junior High, Wuepper is being recognized for her dedication to her students and her work developing the National History Day program at Canyon Park, which has grown from 30 to 300 students in the past eight years. Every year since 2004, one or more of her students has earned a place at the national competition. This year, she received the Richard Ferrell Teacher of Merit award from the Washington State History Day, as well as awards from the Washington State Historical Society and the Association of King County Historical Organizations.

One of Wuepper’s former students, Bothell High junior Rebecca Smith, said her teacher helped her to realize she loved to write and helped her to define her educational goals: “When I talk with other students who have completed her honors humanities class, the majority remember it as the hardest research work they have even done — yet they also recall their projects fondly.”

Wuepper works tirelessly to cultivate interest in history. She has spent countless hours helping students prepare projects and has spent her own vacation time participating in activities to further her teaching skills. She has taught at Canyon Park Junior High since 1995.

Both teachers will be honored at the June 10 School Board meeting and their names have been forwarded to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for consideration for State Teacher of the Year.

The Northshore School District serves 20,000 students in Bothell, Kenmore and Woodinville, strengthening our community through excellence in education.