Chartiers Valley High School teacher Jill Chan won the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh’s Oehmler Award, an honor that recognizes a teacher who exemplifies outstanding dedication to elevating youth voice and leadership.
“I was very surprised when I heard that I received the award because I didn’t even know that I was nominated,” said Chan, an English Learner teacher at Chartiers Valley middle and high schools. “It is truly an honor.”
Chan has been a teacher for 34 years. She started in the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s Ss. Simon and Jude school, and then started teaching English as a Second Language with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. She has worked at Chartiers Valley for 13 years.
“I originally wanted to be a doctor, but high school biology and chemistry changed my mind,” Chan said. “I thought that if I wasn’t a doctor, I would become a teacher to teach future doctors.”
Chan said the most rewarding part of her job is working with students.
“Because they are from so many different countries, I learn from them as they learn from me,” she said. “It has truly enriched my life and has helped me ‘see the world’ without even leaving my classroom.”
Chartiers Valley’s students also make Chan the most proud.
“They are an inspiration to me every day,” she said. “When I hear their stories and I see how they work hard to learn a new language, it just amazes me.”