Trisha Lopez at Columbia receives Honored National Teaching Award
MADISON – Honored, a national nonprofit organization, has recognized Trisha Lopez at Columbia Elementary School with the prestigious “Honored National Teaching Award.”
Honored is dedicated to elevating great teachers. “At a time when teacher burnout and attrition are at crisis levels, our nonprofit, Honored, is dedicated to keeping great teachers in the classroom and inspiring a new generation of talent to pursue teaching,” Hannah Bowyer-Rivette said. She is Director of Programs for Honored.
“Each month of the school year, we honor a teacher with our Honored National Teaching Award. This recognition highlights extraordinary educators who inspire their students and includes a $5,000 unrestricted cash award, a feature on our podcast and social media coverage,” Bowyer-Rivette said.
Lopez teaches students in special education. Her selection in April coincides with Autism Acceptance Month.
“We’re honored to share Trisha’s story as an incredible educator making a huge impact on students with autism and their families,” Bowyer Rivette said. “She is cultivating a classroom where every student is valued and celebrated for who they are.”
“I expect everyone to love my kids. I love them. I expect people to love them,” Lopez said. “So, I always speak highly of my kids, and I explain to a lot of people they might be different, or they might engage in behaviors, but that’s them communicating.”
“You have to work with (students) and give them grace and give them time and space to learn how to communicate more effectively, rather than through behaviors,” Lopez said.
“Acceptance and belonging are central to Trisha’s teaching,” Bowyer- Rivette said. “She communicates closely with students and their families to understand each child’s strengths, goals and accommodations.”
Rebecca, who is student D.J.’s parent, nominated Lopez for this award. “Rebecca initially hesitated placing D.J. in a public school setting as she was unsure that his routine and needs would be met. Two years into having Trisha as his teacher, this uncertainty has slowly evolved into a deep trust,” Bowyer-Rivette said.
D.J.’s mother has witnessed his incredible growth, from his speaking for the first time to finding confidence in stepping outside his comfort zone. “His mother credits Trisha for creating a space where her son feels safe and empowered to find his voice on his own terms,” Bowyer-Rivette said. “In the mother’s words, ‘I can tell by the way he’s confidently taking his time to get these words out that they’re doing the same thing at school. They’re giving him that platform to take his time.’” Honored’s staff believes that recognition is a proven and effective tool to keep exceptional teachers engaged and fulfilled and prevent attrition.
The Honored organization is inspiring a new generation of talent to pursue teaching. Each month of the school year, Honored spotlights a teacher who has changed the life of a single student. Honorees are selected from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade who teach all subjects at public, private and charter schools across the country.
For a recording about Lopez’s teaching, visit honored.org/honoree/ trisha-lopez.
For more information, visit honored. org, Facebook, X, TikTok, LinkedIn and Instagram or their podcast at honored.podbean.com. To nominate a teacher, visit honored. org/nominate.
