English Teacher Named Husky Hero
Libby Perry, the English Language Learner (ELL) Teacher who serves students across all three Hamilton Heights school buildings, has been named the February Husky Hero. Now in her fourth year at Heights, Perry began as an English teacher at the middle school before transitioning into her current role midway through her first year. Her nomination highlights the extraordinary impact she has on students and families, as shared by Hamilton Heights Middle School Art Teacher, Erin Goodman.
“Libby is an incredible educator who goes above and beyond every single day to support our English Language Learners. She creates a supportive classroom environment where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to succeed. Her patience, creativity, and compassion help students build confidence in their English skills while also celebrating the richness of their cultural backgrounds. She works in all three buildings and manages the needs of many different students.
“In October, she organized a beautiful celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month, bringing our school community together to honor and learn about Hispanic culture, history, and traditions. She hosted a ‘pitch‑in’ for families to share food they love, and students created posters about their countries of origin. She gave our ELL students the opportunity to share their voices and take pride in who they are. I attended and it was a wonderful event.
“Her dedication not only helps students thrive academically but also strengthens our entire school community by promoting inclusivity and cultural appreciation. Libby truly embodies what it means to be a Husky Hero, leading with heart, empathy, and a deep commitment to her students.”
When asked what it means to be named the February Husky Hero, Perry shared that the recognition feels especially meaningful because it comes from her colleagues. “One of the greatest accolades in a person’s career is to be recognized by those around them as being good at what they do,” she said. “For a peer to recognize the work I and my team do with our students in each of the three buildings each day and to nominate me for this great award is quite an honor.”
Perry’s motivation is rooted deeply in the unique nature of her work and the students she serves. As the district’s Multi‑Language Learner teacher of record, she supports students in grades K–12 whose first language is not English. “One of my favorite things is to see them make connections between their first language and the English language,” she explained. “When they learn the vocabulary and can have conversations, their eyes light up and they understand — it is magical.” She added that her students’ diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds enrich her own learning every day, and she credits her collaborative team and fellow educators for creating an environment where students can thrive. “When I say I love my job, I truly do love my job. Every day I am motivated to be a better teacher than I was the day before for my students. They are my ‘why.’”
Looking ahead, Perry says the Husky Hero recognition inspires her to continue pouring into her students and her craft. “One of my favorite things about this award is reading about the people who receive it and how they have impacted those around them,” she said. “Now as a recipient, I will continue to encourage my students to learn and to be better than they were the day before, to encourage my team as they guide students in learning new skills, and to continue adding to my own education as a lifelong learner.” She hopes to keep making a meaningful impact on the students she serves and emphasizes that the honor reflects the collective spirit of Hamilton Heights. “Everyone I have the pleasure of working with at Hamilton Heights is a Husky Hero.”