Erin is a visionary about what education should be, because she's making it happen in her own classroom today. Of course she is committed to her students, but she is also committed to helping other educators be the best they can be. Knowing Erin makes me a better teacher.

I have worked with Erin for three years in a community of practice in Iowa education known as the #IACOPI project. Erin's efforts to transform English language and literature from static language to communication and expression have inspired her students. Her integration of technology into the classroom and her collaboration with others have made an impression on my own science teaching. She regularly contributes to social media and conference presentations on a local, state, and national basis, and has been featured as a teacher and speak in venues as varied as The New York Times to conferences by Alan November. Her understanding of student-centered strategies and her willingness to listen and advise others in the area of 1:1 technology use make her a valuable resource for the education community.

Mrs. Olson has been my teacher for the last two years, and I truly believe she is the best teacher I have ever met. Her determination to see her students succeed is prevalent daily. She has helped me in so many of my adventures and projects, whether it was applying to the Air Force Academy or sending school supplies to Haiti, she has pushed me to new levels. She is one of the few teachers that want to hear their students' voices, she wants to know her students opinions, perceptions, and outputs. She deserves this nomination!

Erin and I have worked together on a variety of projects. We have a blogging community which connects 5 schools across the US, she has been featured in the NY Times about her work with students and also the NYTimes Learning Network Blog. Erin has presented at BLC for the past 3 years, along with various other local speaking engagements. Erin is a mom, wife and one of my closest friends(all because of 1 tweet). She is humble, hard-working and has a passion for social justice and helping kids have a voice in the world! She is most deserving of this recognition!