Fisher named ABE 'Teacher of the Year'
As an educator committed to helping students of various ages find personal meaning in their learning, Terrisa Fisher has helped shape countless lives.
Recognizing her skill in that endeavor, the statewide Literacy Action Network named Fisher its Teacher of the Year during its annual Summer Institute in Waite Park on Aug. 14.
Fisher has worked with adult students in Buffalo since 2009, when she joined WEST Adult Basic Education (ABE), facilitated locally by Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools Community Education. WEST is a regional consortium of 17 school districts and local community organizations.
“Some of my WEST colleagues nominated me for the honor, and I am grateful for their kind words about me. I believe that for each ‘teacher of the year’ there are countless unrecognized teachers who are tenaciously doing whatever it takes to move their students forward and upward,” said Fisher. “I am a humble representative to a host of commendable ABE teachers. I reciprocate respect for my WEST and MN ABE colleagues and their work.”
Dr. Eric Erlandson, Director of Community Education for BHM Schools, noted that while the spotlight is on Fisher for the moment, she has always focused on highlighting the accomplishments of ABE students. Fisher is the “driving force” behind the awards ceremony held each year in Buffalo, which allows students and their families to celebrate everything from learning English to earning their General Education Development (GED) certificates.
“Terrisa’s commitment to her students goes far beyond teaching content – she helps them discover purpose and confidence in their learning,” said Erlandson. “This Teacher of the Year recognition is a testament to the countless hours she has invested in helping adults achieve their goals and transform their futures. We are so proud to have her as part of our team.”
A guide for adult students
Fisher began her career as a high school language arts teacher, speech coach and yearbook advisor. From 1997 to 2006, she enjoyed helping students at Sartell High School and St. Cloud Cathedral recognize why their lessons mattered. But the strain of countless evenings working to critique student essays, combined with a busy daily class schedule, began to wear on her.
“At the peak of questioning my career choice, a fellow teacher asked me to substitute for her ‘side gig’ of teaching English as a foreign language to adults,” said Fisher. “I loved the experience! Working with adult learners who chose to be there and who were so very driven to reach their learning goals really expanded my awareness of what and how I could teach in an area that fits with my personality and skill set.”
Intrigued, Fisher searched out more information about Minnesota Adult Basic Education programming, which provides free preparation classes to help adults pass their GED tests – granting them the equivalent of a high school diploma.
In 2008 she started teaching adults through WEST Adult Basic Education, and she took her current role in Buffalo the following year.
Joy in the job
While the age of her pupils has changed, Fisher said she still enjoys that same challenge of helping students understand the significance behind the content.
“My core inner driver remains: making learning personally meaningful,” she said.
One difference in the ABE setting, however, is that students have voluntarily sought out those learning opportunities and are often highly motivated to reach their goals.
“What I enjoy tremendously about my job in an ABE setting is that my external driver can cease to be a syllabus,” said Fisher. “Certainly academic standards still guide me in my GED study labs; however, now equally important factors for me have become the students’ self-identified goals and using each individual’s assessment data to inform his/her/their education plans.”
The teaching profession is all about pouring into others, and Fisher said that while it is gratifying to be recognized by those who best understand what it takes to be an effective teacher of other adults – her WEST ABE colleagues – the timing of the honor has coincided with an important shift in mindset.
“Ironically, this award comes just as I am learning to let go of desiring honors and recognition and accepting servanthood,” she said. “This award means another opportunity to practice gratitude, humility, and peace during transitions.”
• For more information about West ABE, see www.bhmschools.org/west-adult-basic-education.
• The Literacy Action Network is a statewide professional membership organization supporting Minnesota Adult Basic Education. For more information, see https://literacyactionnetwork.org/.
