2011 - Regional Teacher of the Year - Abigail Chandler

Abigail has taught in the elementary school at Leschi for 16 years as kindergarten and 2nd grade teacher and more recently as the Instructional Coach for reading.



In 2003 Abigail co-wrote and was awarded a six-year Reading First grant for Chief Leschi through the Bureau of Indian Education. Abigail moved into the role of grant manager and instructional coach and began the process of transforming reading instruction at the elementary level. Although this represented a major cultural and educational shift for the school, Abigail’s sense of urgency and encouragement were irresistible. Now, as a new class of grant recipients begins the process, Abigail has been tapped as national resource.



Whether with students, colleagues or parents, Abigail put relationships first. Abigail has made a lasting commitment to the students and families of Leschi and the Puyallup Tribe, by immersing herself and her family in the community. Students and families see Abigail at sporting events, powwows, weddings and funerals and they know she is reliable – that Leschi is not a temporary home for her. In addition to her duties as an instructional coach, Abigail hosts weekly events for parents at the school and facilitates a community group that is coordinating birth to 5 services. Now, Abigail is honored with a new responsibility as her former students, bring their children to the preschool at Leschi and ask her to “keep an eye out for them.”



Her skill at relationship building combined with an infectious confidence that seems to rub off on those around her, are what make Abigail such a successful instructional coach. Despite her high standards and frank observations, struggling teachers do not feel threatened by Abigail.



For Abigail the ability to dream, explore and escape that reading provides is the greatest gift she can give. She has transitioned to the role of instructional coach, but Abigail sees the entire elementary school as her class – all 460 of them! She still experiences that pure joy of teaching a child to read that she did in her kindergarten classroom.



Her colleague and fellow instructional coach, Jill Hartley, praises Abigail: “She is one of the most amazing educators I have ever met . . . She has committed her life to improving and impacting the way Native American children and their families view education with complete cultural competency. She is passionate for education and compassionate for students. She is truly a gift.”