Amy Wallace: Finding joy, challenge, and meaning in every school day

Amy Wallace didn’t always plan to be a teacher. In fact, she resisted it for a long time.

“I knew I wanted to work with young kids,” she said, “but I resisted becoming a teacher because I thought it was the same thing over and over. Unfortunately, when I started, I was ‘settling’ because it was a good fit to both teach and be a mom. But, I’m so glad I did! What I didn’t realize then was that teaching is never the same thing every day.”

Now in her 17th year of teaching, Wallace can’t imagine doing anything else. Whether in her 14 years of teaching kindergarten or her recent transition to first grade, she brings a love of early childhood education and a passion for continual growth.

“I wanted a career that would challenge me in the best ways. Teaching has been more than I ever anticipated it could be,” she said.

Wallace credits two major supports with helping her embrace the challenge. The first is her teaching team. 

“I am so grateful for each of them!” she said. “The way we collaborate and build each other up is a big part of what keeps me coming back each day.”

Her colleagues feel the same way. 

“Amy is an outstanding teacher and an approachable, hardworking, team player,” one said.  “She exudes kindness, thoughtfulness, and compassion. Amy is not only a master teacher, but she has a true talent for reaching children.”

Sunrise Elementary Principal Shellie Healy echoed the praise, noting Wallace’s ability to support every student she teaches. 

“Amy is a veteran teacher with masterful skills in classroom management and differentiation,” Healy said. “Each of her students has individual needs, and each need is met because of Mrs. Wallace.”

The second (and most important) reason Wallace continues teaching is because of her students.

“I love seeing and knowing that I really do make a difference,” she said. “Watching for glimmers and positive moments brings me back each day.”

After spending a full day observing Wallace’s teaching, a parent attested to the difference she makes. 

“I was blown away,” the parent shared. “My son has a lot of challenges, and Mrs. Wallace works with him and the other students with such finesse and confidence. They adore her, listen to her, and learn from her. She is welcoming, warm, and friendly. Her systems work so well that she rarely needs to redirect students. Instead, she showers them with praise. Mrs. Wallace is an excellent, excellent teacher, and she truly deserves to be Teacher of the Year.”

Mrs. Wallace can rest easy knowing that the Sunrise community deeply feels and appreciates her impact. Principal Healy summarized it best:

“Amy Wallace is one of the brightest reasons that Sunrise shines.”