September 9, 2006

Hilton Teacher of the Year for 2006 is Linda Bohrer, High School English Teacher

The Hilton Central Schools Teacher of the Year is 12-year veteran Hilton High School English teacher, Linda Bohrer.  Upon accepting her award in September before an auditorium of staff members at the High School from the Hilton Central Schools Teachers Association, Mrs. Bohrer said, “My two boys paved the way and were an inspiration to me.  They showed me what it was like to be a teacher.  I try to remember the lessons these boys taught me . . . . You're teaching students to be better people.” Mrs. Bohrer commented, “I think Hilton is unique in that it retains a small town environment while still becoming more cosmopolitan in the way it reaches out to kids.  Hilton High School is on the cutting edge with the International Baccalaureate Diploma program as well as the wonderful staff development the District brings in for teachers.  This summer's Differentiation Institute in August was awesome!  You wouldn't expect such noted experts in the educational field to come to Hilton: Bill Rich, Lynn Erickson, Carol Tomlinson.”    

Mrs. Bohrer decided to become an English teacher while still a high school student at Spencerport High School.  Her role model: Mr. Jim Nacarella.  “I sat in that class mesmerized by that man. He held us in the palm of his hand as we read classics such as Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice.” She was a member of the Library Club in high school which encouraged her love of books.  But “Some of my best lessons are those my students shared with me,” she said of the "Life-Map Projects” where students draw the paths that intersect their lives. 

Linda and her husband, Ed, are Greece residents and their sons are Brian, 29, and Shaun who died in 2003 at the age of 22.