- November 20, 2024
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When she decided to become a teacher, Indian Trails Middle School Teacher of the Year Erica Babcock had a great role model: her mother, who was also a teacher.
"Her enthusiasm was contagious, and her dedication to her student’s success was unwavering," Babcock wrote in her application for the Teacher of the Year award. "I aspired to follow in her footsteps, to become an inspirational figure in the lives of others. ... Education has the potential to shape the world for the better, and I want to be a part of that transformative process. I was inspired by the idea of guiding students toward a brighter future, helping them realize their dreams, and contributing to the betterment of society through education."
Babcock started teaching in Volusia County in 2003, came to Indian Trails in 2015 and then returned to Volusia from 2017 to 2021 before coming back to Indian Trails.
She teaches seventh- and eighth-grade science classes and serves as a science coach, support facilitator and behavioral interventionist at Indian Trails.
I was inspired by the idea of guiding students toward a brighter future, helping them realize their dreams, and contributing to the betterment of society through education."
— ERICA BABCOCK, Indian Trails Middle School Teacher of the Year
Unafraid to implement new teaching strategies, she uses a small-group model in her science classroom, Indian Trails Literacy Instructional Coach Jeanette Kaizar wrote in a letter of recommendation for Babcock's Teacher of the Year application.
"This allowed her to modify strategies, be purposeful in scaffolds, and meet student needs beyond access to academics," Kaizar wrote. "Utilizing this model in her classroom allowed Mrs. Babcock to foster relationships with students as she had more personalized time with them, and in turn they were willing to productively struggle alongside her."
Babcock also shares her knowledge with fellow teachers, modeling how she structures learning and allowing colleagues to observe her classroom or plan with her.
"This was the single most impactful professional development I have had since joining the team of educators in Flagler Schools six years ago," Kaizar wrote.
Utilizing this model in her classroom allowed Mrs. Babcock to foster relationships with students as she had more personalized time with them, and in turn, they were willing to productively struggle alongside her."
— JEANETTE KAIZAR, Indian Trails Literacy Instructional coach
After state assessments revealed that eighth graders were lagging in one category of the state science assessments, Babcock worked to design an assessment that could be given to students ahead of the state exams to identify learning gaps.
"The assessments were thoughtfully designed to gauge not only content mastery but also the application of critical thinking skills," Babcock wrote. "The collaborative design process allowed for the incorporation of diverse perspectives, resulting in a comprehensive assessment tool. ... The implementation of common formative assessments yielded tangible results reflected in the overall state assessment achievement scores."
ITMS Principal Ryan Andrews called Babcock the "'Swiss Army Knife' of ITMS.
"She is early to campus, supervising the car rider line each morning, rain or shine, hot or cold," Andrews wrote in a letter of recommendation for Babcock's Teacher of the Year application. "She is first to sign up for after school activities like dances and concerts. And she is quite the chef, making snacks and treats to keep the staff happy."
Babcock also created a teaching initiative focused on conflict resolution and developing students' self-esteem and social-emotional skills.
She focused on a group of girls who'd garnered repeated referrals the previous year.
The students' numbers of monthly referrals dropped dramatically when they attended the twice-a-week sessions with Babcock.
"This discipline data stands as a testament to the transformative power of targeted group teaching, reinforcing the idea that education is not just about imparting knowledge but also about shaping well-rounded, resilient, and socially adept individuals prepared for the challenges of the future," Babcock wrote.
