Hawes Educator Wins National Distinguished Teacher Award

A national education foundation has honored Hawes teacher John Otterstedt with its 2013 Distinguished Teacher Award.

The third grade educator was nominated by another teacher at the Ridgewood elementary school, and received the award from the Arlington, Texas-based Mensa Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes education through scholarships and awards.

The foundation noted Otterstedt’s “immediate and excessive attention” to students, and his work pushing them toward self-expression through associative writing prompts.

“Mr. Otterstedt’s commitment and dedication to his students is an example of what makes him a great teacher,” Dave Remine, the president of the Mensa Foundation, said in a statement. “We are honored to present him the Distinguished Teacher Award.”

The award is given annually to a teacher, instructor or professor at any educational level for making a positive impact on the life or education of one of the foundation’s members.