Steve Ammann, 8th Grade English Language Arts Teacher and Instructional Team Leader, Mount View Middle School

February 8th, 2017

It’s no surprise that “positivity” is a top Strength for Steve Ammann when one of his teaching mottos is “Learn it with laughter; learn it for a lifetime.” Getting hired right out of college, he has spent his entire career as a Mount View Middle School 8th grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher. In the past decade, he has embraced the school, its community and students, all while keeping learning fun and interactive.

Ammann spends his days supporting students as they analyze texts, make connections to modern times and practice writing. But that’s not all because as he said, “I always want the kids to get up and move. I want them to shine.” Ammann makes the curriculum come to life for his students through a “Shark Tank” invention competition for the science fiction unit, skits of the “Romeo and Juliet” balcony scene, and more.

Ammann loves that in the 8th grade ELA classroom, his students are “young enough to do puppets, but they can have deep conversations as young adults discovering the world.” He continued, “They can broaden their experiences by walking through life through literature. If they can take risks and master their writing skills, they are equipped to handle anything.”

When Ammann encountered a “mean” teacher in high school, it made him think about how he’d go about teaching differently. In his words: “I would want my students to feel comfortable, safe and accepted.” Ammann has been on the educator track ever since, obtaining a bachelor’s in secondary education and English, and a master’s in educational technology, and taking on several professional leadership roles.

Ammann is a leader at his school and HCPSS. At Mount View, he is the 8th grade ELA instructional team leader, has served as a mentor teacher, and is always ready to collaborate on creative instructional ideas. He has facilitated many professional development sessions and presentations at the school and county level, and is a secondary ELA curriculum writer during the summer.

Mount View Principal Allen Cosentino summarized Ammann’s educational impact with, “Steve is a leader in the building by always looking to improve and being welcoming to everyone. He’s a great colleague to others and a positive person that helps set the tone of the school. It’s clear he cares about the kids and Mount View. For him, teaching isn’t a job, it’s a calling.”

Education runs through Ammann’s professional and personal life, with his wife, Leslie Ammann, a World Languages teacher and instructional team leader at Mt. Hebron High School. They have a 3-year-old daughter at home.