Flagstaff Academy teachers named finalists for Educator of the Year

The Colorado League of Charter Schools has named two Flagstaff Academy Charter School teachers as finalists for the 2022 Charter School "Educator of the Year" award. Flagstaff Academy elementary school science resource teacher Stacy Wolff, and sixth-grade language arts teacher Leha Moskoff are two of eight finalists.

Wolff is in her 11th year at Flagstaff Academy Charter School as the kindergarten through fifth grade science resource teacher. Wolff teaches an inquiry-based, hands-on science lab that allows students to use the process of science to understand the world around them. Her unique teaching style makes a lasting impact on the students' understanding of concepts and encourages a thirst for scientific exploration.

"I am proud to have created a learning community in which students feel safe to share their ideas, challenge their misconceptions, and think critically," Wolff said. "I believe that I inspire students to be curious, ask questions, and make a positive difference in their community."

In addition to her time in the classroom, Wolff is also the staff advisor of the student-led Flagstaff Academy Green Team club which is focused on reducing waste and raising awareness about sustainability. The club, comprised of fifth through eighth grade students, has conceptualized, planned, and built an outdoor classroom for all students to use across all subject areas; instituted a food rescue table in the lunchroom to address food insecurity and waste; and partnered with Boulder EcoCycle to reinvigorate the Flagstaff Academy recycling program.

In 2020, the Green Team received more than $6,000 from the Colorado Department of Education for wellness and sustainability grants. Looking forward, Wolff and the fifth-grade team hope to create a watershed program in which students collect data from Left Hand Creek for use by professional scientists.

Moskoff has been at Flagstaff Academy for eight years, the last six years as the sixth-grade language arts teacher. Moskoff works with students to explore great works of literature, lay the foundation of essay writing, expand student vocabulary, develop the students' inner poets, improve conventions of writing, and strengthen critical thinking.

"I feel that teaching is 80 percent relationship-building and 20 percent content," Moskoff said. "In my classroom, we celebrate the small things and work together to be able to let go of the big things. I believe this environment creates a place for growth, both personally and academically."

Moskoff's dedication to students goes beyond her role as a teacher. She serves as advisor to the middle school newspaper, Spectrum, the only print middle school newspaper in the St. Vrain Valley School District. She also serves as the National Junior Honor Society advisor, coordinates the school's annual spelling bee, holds a lunch book club, coaches track, and participates in the school's Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program.

The winner of the 2022 Educator of the Year award will be announced at the Colorado Charter Schools Annual Conference on March 1-2 at the Westin Westminster.