Math Teacher Ms. Eileen Kirk, who has taught at Milton Area High School for 22 years, has received Milton’s 2023-24 Teacher of the Year award.
Ms. Kirk’s passion for teaching started early, when she enjoyed teaching her younger sister how ride a bike, she said.
She said she decided to teach math because people struggled with it, and she wanted to make it easier for them.
“When you teach somebody something, it gives them a gift,” said Ms. Kirk. She added that she enjoys helping people reach their goals.
Ms. Kirk said she had always wanted to be a teacher. She couldn’t imagine not being a teacher but she recognizes that other professions involve teaching as well.
In her spare time she said she likes to go running and swimming.
Ms. Kirk attended Lycoming College and Bucknell University. She is certified to teach both elementary and high school, she said.
She taught at St. Joseph School in Danville before she taught at Milton, according to Ms. Kirk. She said that she previously taught third, fifth, seventh and eighth grade.
Ms. Kirk said that teaching during the pandemic was the biggest challenge that she has faced in her career. Due to remote learning and the hybrid in school and at home instruction. “Being able to share my screen and talk to students as we worked through math problems helped with remote learning,” said Ms. Kirk.
“Mrs. Kirk is beyond deserving of being named Teacher of the Year for Milton Area School District. Her passion for education and ensuring that all students have the ability to succeed is unmatched,” said Co-Principal Mr. Andrew Rantz. “She is committed to her profession, and she is an exemplary colleague and coworker. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to work side by side with Mrs. Kirk, and sincerely value her as a teacher at Milton.”
“Mrs. Kirk is an amazing teacher who pours her heart and soul into her students. She is here because she genuinely cares about her students. Milton Area School district is blessed to have her a part of our staff,” added Co-Principal Mr. Michael Bergey.
“I work with great people, administrators, teachers and paraprofessionals. Our paraprofessionals are worth their weight in gold,” said Ms. Kirk. “It takes teamwork to do what we do, and I have great teammates.”
